
u. 

g : 

i ! Wm j 




( d l 

1 jfcr > 

8., 



Sl%| 

















COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 


































r 


% 







» 











/ 

















V 
























The Two Stood Facing Each Other 












Captain Comstock 
U. S. M. C. 

By 

LIEUT.-COL. GILES BISHOP, JR. 
United States Marine Corps 

Author of 

<Cc Tbe Marines Have Landed” 

“ The Marines Have Advanced” 

“Lieutenant Comstock , U. S. Marine” 



Illustrated by 

Donald S. Humphreys 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 

1923 














COPYRIGHT 
1923 BY 
THE PENN 
PUBLISHING 


COMPANY 



Captain Comstock, U. S. M. C 

Manufacturing 

Plant 

Camden, N. J. 

©C1A752815 


Made in the U. S. A„ 

SEP-7’23 




To 

Major General "John Archer Lejeune 

United States Marine Corps 

Leader of the Second Division of the United 
States Army in the Great War, during the 
operations of St. Mihiel, The Champag7ie and 
the Meuse-Argonne and always to victory, com¬ 
mander of that division during the march to and 
across the Rhine, during its eight months' occu¬ 
pation of German territory, and to its return 
and demobilization in the United States {August, 
1918, to September, 1919), and who now holds 
the highest place of honor in our Corps as its 
Commandant, this book is respectfully dedicated 








J 


















































■ • 




.'.V 









INTRODUCTION 


In this fourth and last book citing the adventures 
of Dick Comstock, United States Marine, and his 
friends, a bare outline, only, is given of the activi¬ 
ties of this famous body of fighting men during the 
World War. That they deported themselves most 
creditably and heroically cannot be gainsaid, but it 
is left to others to decide whether or not the turn¬ 
ing of the tide was due to them, although, as may 
be expected, that old veteran of many wars, Mike 
Dorian, has no doubts regarding the matter. 

To attempt to follow Dick Comstock through 
the many trying days and nights and on all the 
battlefields of France is undesirable. Too much 
already has been written of the horrors of war and 
for this reason many brilliant actions in which the 
marines took part have not been mentioned or if so, 
but lightly; however the main historical facts as 
given herein are true. 

If my young readers have enjoyed reading these 
volumes, and if by doing so they have been en¬ 
lightened as to the raison d'etre of the sea-soldiers 
of Uncle Sam, then I feel that the time spent in 
5 


INTRODUCTION 

writing them has been well spent indeed,—my ob¬ 
ject has been accomplished. 

The Author. 

Coronado, California, 

July SI, 1922 . 


6 


CONTENTS 


I. Hikes and Billets - 

II. “ Beddy ” Doyle Reports for Duty 

III. Tommy Nearly Loses Something 

IY. Into the Fray - 

Y. The Americans Take Command 

YI. The Marines Stop the Huns - 

YII. The First “ All-American ” Ad¬ 
vance ------ 

YIII. The Capture of Belleau Wood 

IX. Reddy Wins a Bitter Yictory 

X. The Fourth of July - 

XI. Dick’s Strange Adventure in Bel¬ 
gium ------ 

XII. Dorlan Believes in Reciprocity - 
XIH. About Insignia and Frau Hoffman 
XIY. Dick Has Two Surprises - 
XY. Dick Faces a Few Problems - 
XYI. While the Cat Is Away - 
XVII. Private Haskell Confesses - 
XVIII. Mike Misses the Target - 
7 


11 

21 

35 

45 

56 

61 

74 

86 

106 

121 

138 

155 

172 

187 

199 

210 

223 

240 


CONTENTS 

XIX. Why Doyle Came Back - - - 256 

XX. Tommy Turner Discovers Something 271 

XXI. Hoffman Pays a Visit - - - 283 

XXII. What Has Become of Suzette? - 300 

XXIII. Monsieur Flammeau’s Story - - 314 

XXIV. At the Gare Du Xord ... 320 
XXV. Cleared Skies - - - - - 338 

XXVI. Home Again ----- 349 


8 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

The Two Stood Facing Each Other.Frontispiece 

Dick Sprang to His Feet and Glared at Doyle. .. .111 

The Old Inn Was a Scene of Wildness Long to 
Be Remembered...217 

*T Have Come for Some Money”.251 

The Two Sought the Upper Deck.356 


Captain Comstock, U. S. M. C. 






i 


* 


% 







\ 





























'■ 
















































yi 


















































* 















i 



Captain Comstock, U. S. M. C. 


CHAPTER I 

HIKES AND BILLETS 

“ Whew! But I’m good and tired, Dick Com¬ 
stock, and you can tell General Pershing for me 
that I don’t wish to be disturbed for a week. It’s 
me for the hay,” and Lieutenant Tommy Turner 
of the United States Marine Corps, slowly and 
carefully drew off one shoe and gently rubbed his 
stockinged, aching foot. 

“ Gee whizz! ” he continued, grumblingly, while 
looking about the tiny adjoining rooms which he 
and Dick, the senior lieutenant of the company, 
were to occupy as billets for the night. “ What is 
the big idea in chasing us all over France anyway? 
Do they want to wear out our feet so’s we can’t 
run away in case we ever do get mixed up with the 
Heinies, or what? ” 

Now the tired boy kicked off the other shoe and 
watched its flight through the air to the opposite 
side of the room. 


ii 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

“ Look at it from the other angle. Tommy, and 
it may cheer you up—in other words they are try¬ 
ing to toughen us up by all this, and when we do 
meet the Huns and get them started running back 
to Berlin we’ll need to be in dandy training in or¬ 
der to keep them in sight,” replied his companion, 
as he delved into his clothing roll in search of soap 
and towel. 

To the casual observer it was quite evident that 
both these young men were in the pink of training. 
They practically had been brought up together and 
though there was a difference of a few years in their 
ages and a few inches in their heights, both were in 
Dick’s favor. Since the first of Uncle Sam’s 
troops had crossed the Atlantic, Dick had been 
serving in France under the colors of the Marines. 
In fact, for a number of years before he had served 
with that world famous organization and had gone 
through all the grades from drummer boy to his 
present rank. Tommy Turner, however, had 
joined the marines only upon the declaration of 
war with Germany. Being a bright, capable 
youngster, his promotion had quickly followed and 
he was but a few weeks behind Dick in reaching the 
area of hostilities, and as luck would have it he had 
been assigned to Dick’s company on arrival at St. 
Nazaire. 

“ You certainly are the little dickie-bird whose 
12 


HIKES AND BILLETS 


singing cheers up the tired and fainting Heart, 
friend Richard,” answered Tommy. “ Ugh, but a 
bath may change my feelings some, and I know it 
certainly will change our looks a lot. Mother Tur¬ 
ner’s only boy would never be recognized should he 
suddenly blow into his customary seat by the old 
New England fireside this night; and as for you, 
sir, you look like a freshly baked mud-pie with a 
yaller-chalk frosting. Say,” as a sudden thought 
struck him, “ I wonder if the fact that we’ve got 
an army officer in command of this Marine Brigade 
now is the cause of all this jumping around from 
pillar to post? ” 

44 Guess not,” was Dick’s laconic reply, but a 
slight frown appeared on his forehead. Then after 
a moment’s thought he added: 

“ It’s too bad not to have an officer of our own 
corps at our head. If the 4 Old Man ’ only hadn’t 
gotten ill 1 and didn’t have to be sent home-” 

44 Why in the dickens did the army butt in any¬ 
way? ” interrupted Tommy. 44 Why couldn’t one 
of our own colonels have been 4 It ’ just as well as 
if not better than an army file? My honest opinion 
is that we marines are so bloomin’ good that we’re 

1 Note: Colonel C. A. Doyen, U. S. M. C., who first commanded the 
Fourth Brigade in France had been invalided home. He did much 
toward increasing the efficiency of the Brigade while in command 
and his loss was deeply regretted by officers and men. 

13 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U . S. M. C< 

sure to do something big and they want to get in on 
a share of the glory—that is, we will do it if ever 
friend Foch decides to use us. Eh? ” 

“ I’m not questioning things,” came Dick’s an¬ 
swer as he prepared to leave the room, “ but I’ll 
say this much—General Pershing must think pretty 
highly of both us and the officer he placed in com¬ 
mand of us. You know General Harbord was 
Pershing’s chief of staff and it’s quoted pretty 
freely that he said to Harbord that he was getting 
the best outfit on this side of the ocean and if they 
failed he, Pershing, would know where to lay the 
blame.” 

“ Oh, I guess Harbord’s O. K., well enough. 
He’s got the right spirit too. All hands say he’s 
become a regular marine already, and since the 
officers of this brigade presented him with our 
corps’ collar ornaments he’s discarded the army 
devices altogether, but—that doesn’t excuse him 
for tramping us all over the globe at the rate we’ve 
been going. Do you realize that we’ve been on the 
jump ever since that 277th Regiment of Frenchies 
relieved us up Verdun way on May thirteenth, and 
here it is nearly the end of the month. Why, 
everybody said we were going right in, and all we 
hear is how they’re falling back, and yet they don’t 
use us. Look at the places we’ve been—jaw¬ 
breakers to pronounce, all of ’em—Blesmes, Heiltz- 
14 


HIKES AND BILLETS 


l’eveque, Vitry le Francois, Parmon, Valmondois, 
and now Marines. We ought to stay here. The 
town is named even if it isn’t pronounced after us, 
but along come orders to get under way for Vau- 
dancourt in the morning, before we even get our 
second wind. 

“ Here we’ve been stumping along since morn¬ 
ing, arrive here at nine fifteen p. m. and off again at 
daylight—oh, well ”—here Tommy gave a pro¬ 
digious yawn, closing his eyes meanwhile, which 
gave Dick the opportunity to acquire the young¬ 
ster’s handy soap-box, “ I guess we can show him 
he can’t hike the legs off us no matter how hard 
he tries. Hey! Come back here with my soap.” 
But all the satisfaction he got was to hear Dick’s 
retreating footsteps. 

In another moment Tommy had pulled on a pair 
of old Indian moccasins he had fished from his 
bedding roll, grabbed a towel and soon had caught 
up with Dick who was bound for a stream near by 
which the billeting officer was kind enough to tell 
him about when the troops arrived in the little vil¬ 
lage of Marines a short time since. 

On returning to their quarters it was not long 
before they were sound asleep in the welcome fast¬ 
nesses of old-fashioned feather beds. 

Early the following morning the owner of the 
cottage awakened the two officers. Monsieur and 
i5 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U . 5. M. C. 

Madame had sent them up a pot of steaming coffee, 
hot rolls and fresh eggs as the unrequired but 
nevertheless welcome evidence of their hospitality. 
Perhaps this same elderly couple had a boy of their 
own fighting stubbornly somewhere along the 
enormous length of battle line, and perhaps their 
thoughtful little act might tend in some way to 
lighten that boy’s own burden. Who knows? 

“ I say, Tommy,” sang out Dick, who was up 
instantly on being called, “ come on, snap out of 
it, son! Chow call has sounded,” but it took more 
than words to get the healthy, sleepy Tommy on 
his feet. 

Breakfast was nearly cooked and soon the men 
of the regiment were enjoying their best meal of 
the twenty-four hours, for during these days of 
hiking the rolling kitchen seldom served rations at 
noon and sometimes arrival at their destination was 
so late that the troops made but a hurried and un¬ 
satisfactory meal at night. Sandwiches were usu¬ 
ally prepared at breakfast and packed away in the 
meat cans of the individual men for noonday con¬ 
sumption. 

“ Looking at some of these two by four villages 
we’ve been stopping at over night of late makes 
me wonder how our men ever get stowed away with 
such despatch, and really comfortably too, consid¬ 
ering everything, ” remarked Tommy, a little later 
16 


HIKES AND BILLETS 

as they were trudging along the well-kept high¬ 
way. 

“ It wouldn’t be such an easy matter except for 
system,” replied Dick. “ Of course these people 
over here have always been used to the billeting idea 
and everything runs along smoothly; nothing is 
thought of it.” 

“ Still I don’t believe I’d like the job of billeting 
officer,” said Tommy. 

“ Why it’s a cinch! You see the billeting officer 
goes on ahead of the column. We’ll say that he 
has to look out for a battalion for instance. He 
arrives at the town or village and is at once provided 
by the town major with a list showing the number 
of accommodations available. He then divides the 
town up accordingly, assigns certain portions to 
each company and as every company sends a N. C. 
O. along with the billeting officer, they in turn go 
over their portion and as soon as we march in we 
are told where to go.” 

“ Sounds simple, Dick, but how does the N. C. O. 
decide on the number of men and officers for certain 
bams, houses and so forth? ” 

“ Surely, Tommy, you have noticed that in each 
village every available place is placarded or marked; 
so many officers, so many men, so many horses, as 
the case may be, and often places tagged with the 
word ‘ cuisine/—kitchen, haven’t you? ” 
i7 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

“ Guess I’ve not been walking blisters on every 
toe I own and avoided seeing ’em/’ was the reply, 
“ but that is what I’m talking about—the N. C. O. 
has to take a lot of time to tag all these places and 
he has to be pretty savvy, I think, to judge so cor¬ 
rectly how many each place will hold.” 

Dick laughed heartily. 

“ There are some things, Tommy Turner, which 
you seem to see or know before they even happen, 
but in other ways, at times, you are as dumb as a 
quahaug.” 1 

“ Go ahead; laugh and show your ignorance, 
mon cher, and when you get tired suppose you tell 
me what the joke is about,” answered the youngster 
with an assumed air of hurt feelings. 

4 4 Why, Tommy, those signs are up all the time. 
Every village in France just now is probably 
posted in that same manner. It is part of the mili¬ 
tary routine of the country and especially now that 
she is at war. The town major meets our billeting 
officer on arrival, and informs him of the exact 
number of troops the town can accommodate; the 
billeting officer sets to work and divides the spaces 
up for the number of men for whom he is responsi¬ 
ble. He looks after headquarters himself and 
allots to each non-com representing the companies 
a certain part equal to the number of men and offi- 

*The New England name for a round clam—an Indian name. 

l8 


HIKES AND BILLETS 


cers in the company concerned as I said before. 
Then they in turn proceed to find out where their 
space is located, and when their company arrives 
they point them out, that’s all. An attempt is 
always made to give the officers and the higher 
N. C. O.’s billets in the nicer houses* for of course 
all cannot fare as well as some.” 

“ No, you’re dead right there, Dickie. I don’t 
believe any of ’em had as nice billets as we had last 
night for instance. Only my feather bed was a 
little too hot for comfort at this time of the year.” 

“You slept as if it was,” replied Dick, drily, and 
then changing the subject rather abruptly, he said: 
“ I hear that this is our last hike for a while and 
that to-morrow we start some intensive training* 
whatever that may mean.” 

“ Intensive training!—Great Jehoshaphat, what 
d’you call all this we’ve been doing for the past 
week, I’d like to know? ” 

“ Well, it will be something different, I imagine. 
We have been hiking a lot and getting hardened, 
but I mean drills now, and there’s a pretty well 
founded rumor that we are here to back up the 
English in case they begin to give way. They’re 
being pressed mighty hard east of Soissons and 
we’re liable to be sent in there at any old time.” 

“ What do you mean? Just this regiment? ” 

“ Oh, no, the whole lot of us, I guess.” 

19 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U . 5. M. C. 

“ I don’t wish the British any bad luck, Dick, but 
I certainly hope they hurry up and send us some¬ 
where and give us a real chance,” said Tommy 
earnestly. “We are all marines in this brigade and 
we’ll make the whole blooming outfit wish they 
were marines too after we once get busy with those 
Heinies. The ‘ Old Man ’ 1 will never have to say 
he’s sorry he had us under him, but as I’ve said be¬ 
fore, I’m mighty sorry he’s not a marine officer 
for we’ll promote him to command the Division, 4 as 
sure as shootin’,’ if he gives us half a chance, and as 
long as we’ve got to push someone into the lime¬ 
light it really should be one of our own corps. Hey 
what? ” 

1 The commanding officer of any organization is familiarly called 
the “ Old Man.” 


20 


CHAPTER II 


“ REDDY ” DOYLE REPORTS FOR DUTY 

“ The Colonel's compliments, and he desires to 
see Lieutenant Comstock at Regimental F. C., at 
once, sir/’ 

The orderly, after receiving Dick’s nod of ac¬ 
knowledgment, saluted, and turning about pro¬ 
ceeded on his way. 

“ Wonder what’s up? ” queried Tommy Turner. 
“ I was talking with Captain Harrison a while ago 
and he was sent for—do you suppose this means 
real business, or is it another one of these everlast¬ 
ing moves? ” 

“ Haven’t an idea in the world,” answered Dick, 
“ but I do know I’m mighty dirty after that strenu¬ 
ous drill we had this afternoon and I don’t feel 
much like reporting to the C. O. looking like this.” 

“ If you’re dirty then I’d hate to be a clean 
Marine,” chirped Tommy, “ for in that case no one 
would believe that I was real.” 

And Tommy’s words held a lot of truth in them, 
for probably there never was a cleaner soldier un¬ 
der all conditions of service than this ex-drummer 
boy, now a full-fledged officer. Dick had been 
21 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U . 5. Jf. C. 

brought up correctly in his first years of service 
with the corps, under strict sergeants of the old 
days to whom a speck of dirt on equipment, or a 
stain on uniform was almost a criminal offense, and 
lie had never forgotten the value of ky-yi brushes, 
soap and elbow grease, nor was he too indolent to 
make good use of his knowledge in that respect. 

“ Anything in my kit which you’re particularly 
hankering for, Tommy? ” he asked, bending over to 
tuck in the loose end of a puttee legging. “ If so 
you’ll never get it with such blarney,” and off he 
went to report. 

On arrival at regimental headquarters he imme¬ 
diately was ushered into the presence of the colonel. 

“ Ah, good-afternoon, Captain! ” 

Dick looked over his shoulder thinking that pos¬ 
sibly some other officer had entered in rear of him 
and whom the colonel was addressing, but seeing 
no one and believing the older officer had momen¬ 
tarily forgotten his rank, he made haste to reply: 

“ Good-afternoon, sir! Lieutenant Comstock re¬ 
ports in obedience to your orders, sir.” 

“ Yes, yes; sit down, Captain,” and at this repeti¬ 
tion Dick gave his superior a searching glance. It 
flashed through his mind that possibly his C. O. was 
ill, but he was met by a look indicating a no incon¬ 
siderable pleasure on the older man’s face. “ But 
before you do so, accept my heartiest congratula- 
22 


“ REDDY” DOYLE 


tions on your promotion, Captain Comstock,” and 
rising he held out his hand to the nearly speechless 
young man who finally did get enough strength to 
step forward and grasp it. 

“ What! Me—a captain ? 99 floundered Dick in 
the trough of a grammatical sea. “ Do you hon¬ 
estly mean it, sir? ” he ended with most unmilitary 
audacity. 

“ I’m not likely to be fooling, young man,” came 
the patient reply. “ Now, for the second time— 
please sit down, Captain.” 

This time Dick obeyed, and suddenly too, for his 
joints seemed to give way beneath him. 

“ I grant you, promotions are fearfully rapid 
these days,” continued the colonel, “ much too 
rapid in most cases for the good of the men con¬ 
cerned or for the corps, but it has to be done and in 
due time matters will adjust themselves. Those 
fit will eventually be placed in the right niche— 
lower or higher as the case may be. Have a cigar 
—no? That’s right, keep on the smoke wagon,- 
you’ll have better wind for running—and under¬ 
stand, I’m not saying all this about promotion for 
your especial benefit—I have no fears where you 
are concerned and-” 

“ But I have, sir,” said Dick, recovering a little 
from his surprise. 

“ It is as well you should have. It is the young 
23 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S'. M. C. 

whipper-snappers who know nothing and think 
they know it all to whom I was referring—those 
liable to get swelled heads;—but to get back to 
business. Here is your commission as a temporary 
captain in the corps, signed by the Secretary of the 
Navy,” and he handed across the table the commis¬ 
sion made out on an ordinary sheet of official pa¬ 
per. Usually commissions are quite impressive af¬ 
fairs, engraved and beautifully filled in, on sheep¬ 
skin parchment, bearing the signatures of the Pres¬ 
ident of the United States and other high digna- 
taries, and the stamped official seal of the govern¬ 
ment over a blue wafer, but in time of war the tem¬ 
porary affairs could not be (nor were they desired) 
like the peace-time article. 

“ Now, Captain,”—Dick’s eyes fairly jumped 
from the paper, “ of course you must expect a 

change of duty with your new rank and-” 

Dick had not thought of that, but now it came home 
to him that it was going to be a veiy difficult under¬ 
taking in a way to leave his old company and his old 
friends with whom he had served ever since the be¬ 
ginning of the war. Who would look after Tommy 
Turner—careless, joyous Tommy, and keep him 
out of hot water? What about First Sergeant 
Dorian—old, faithful, devoted Mike, and what 
about the company itself? He never could leave 
that outfit—never! Involuntarily he half arose 
24 



“ REDDY” DOYLE 


from his chair, his hand unconsciously shot outward 
and in it was the newly arrived commission, as if 
the returning of it might forestall the pending dis¬ 
aster. Suddenly with a powerful effort the lad got 
control of himself and leaned back in the chair 
again, but his face was no longer excited and 
happy. 

/ds/gnia of Ranh in Marine Corps and Army 

n One bar gilt £"<*■ Lieutenant 

One bar Silver l s t lieutenant 

n=n_ Two bars Silver Captain 




Gold leaf Major 
Silver leaf Lieutenant Colonel 

Silver Eagle Colonel 


One silver star Brigadier General 
Two Silver Stars Major General 

f?enk devices are worn on the shoulder Straps 

""[{jj §3 — Button 

L X;- 

x Capta in device 



This little pantomime had not escaped the keen 
eyes of the colonel and when he took up the sen¬ 
tence which he had begun and for a moment paused 

25 










CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U . M. C. 

in in the making, he went off at a very different an¬ 
gle from that which was in his mind primarily. 

“ —and—ah—and—ah, I believe that I will al¬ 
low you to keep on in command of the company 
with which you have been serving. Yes, I will do 
that, and in the meantime think of something else 
for you, but for the present no change. By the 
time you return to your company billets you will 
find that Captain Harrison will be about ready to 
leave you, for he has at last received the rank of 
major which he richly deserves. He is to take 
command of the battalion. I’ll have your orders 
made out at once and send them over to your quar¬ 
ters; and, by the way, an army lieutenant will re¬ 
port to you for duty, either to-night or to-morrow 
morning. 

“ As you know we have a number of these sub¬ 
alterns in the brigade with us and it is our duty to 
see that they learn something before they leave: 
that is why they are sent. The army itself has a 
big task to get all their raw material into shape for 
the struggle and they are gladly giving our higher 
officers larger commands while serving in their regi¬ 
ments in exchange for our training a few of their 
youngsters. It helps both sides. I had thought 
of sending you over to them for a while, but—well 
—h’mmmm—I’ve decided otherwise. That will do, 
Captain! It is unnecessary to tell you what I ex- 
26 


“ REDDY" DOYLE 


pect of you and your company. You know what I 
want. You are indoctrinated with our corps’ motto 
—Semper Fidelis—always faithful! Good-after¬ 
noon, sir.” 

Tommy Turner was loud in his greeting upon 
Dick’s return, for Captain, now Major, Harrison 
had told him of the promotion, and even the major 
was agreeably surprised when Dick announced that 
he was not to be transferred for duty with the army 
but instead was to continue on with the old com¬ 
pany. 

“ I’d have been lost if they’d sent you away,” 
said Tommy honestly, “ and furthermore Captain 
Har—I mean Major Harrison was hoping the 
Colonel would change his mind. He strongly rec¬ 
ommended that you succeed to the place left vacant 
by him. I just know too that it’s the best thing for 
the company. Old Mike would never last without 
you, Dick, and the men will pull together as never 
before for you. I was fearful of a rupture of some 
sort in case of a new captain-” 

“ Nice of you to say all this, Tommy, and I know 
you really believe it, but they’d work just as well, 
I guess, with-” 

“ No, Dick, you know that you have really 
held the company together. There are a lot 
of them who would have started things on several 
occasions had you not sized up the situation 
27 




CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 

correctly and done just the right things to avoid 
trouble.” 

“ As a rule, Tommy, you’ll find that true in every 
kind of an organization of men—a few scapegoats, 
but if a little care is taken with them everything 
runs along smoothly.” 

“ That’s the idea, Dick—excuse me, sir—I meant 
to say ‘ Captain ’—that is just it, there needs to 
be someone around able to do the right thing. I 
don’t mean to say the men wouldn’t fight their 
heads off when the time came, but they’ve been 
on good behavior such a long while that they’re 
just bustin’ to break loose. By the way, are you 
going to move over to Cap—Major Harrison’s 
billet?” ended Tommy with a sudden change of 
subject. 

“No, I’ll not change now. The new officer when 
he reports may take up over there.” 

“ Lieutenant Doyle of the National Army is here 
to report to the Captain, sir,” came a voice from 
outside the door which followed a knocking, then in 
response to Dick’s “ Come in,” a tall, red-headed, 
strapping young man entered the room. 

Recognition was mutual on his appearance. His 
hand, half-way to his cap in salute, stopped its 
course, when both Dick and Tommy exclaimed in a 
breath: 

“ Reddy Doyle! ” 


28 


" REDDY " DOYLE 


The newly-arrived officer unbent with alacrity as 
he in his turn exclaimed: “Dick—Tommy Tur¬ 
ner ! ” and there was indeed a warm welcome ac¬ 
corded him, while the flow of talk continued for 
some time fast and furious between the three. 

“ It is years since we’ve met, Dick,” said Doyle 
after the first outrush of question and answer had 
somewhat subsided, “ not since our High School 
graduation exercises in the old Lyceum, back home. 
Let’s see, how many years is it? ” 

“ Don’t count them up, Reddy. I’ll begin to 
feel like an old man if you do.” 

“ Speaking of ‘ old man,’ reminds me of the fact 
that here we’ve been chewing the rag all this time 
and I’m supposed to report to the ‘ Old Man ’ of 
this company—Captain Karmster—isn’t that the 
name? The Adjutant was so mumbly I couldn’t 
get it.” 

“That’s a good one, Reddy; there’s the ‘Old 
Man ’ of this outfit sitting right in front of you,” 
sang out Tommy, gleefully. “ You got the name 
twisted, that’s all. There he is, Captain Comstock, 
if you please, sir.” 

“ Er—what? ” questioned the astonished Doyle, 
while his eyes quickly noted the lone silver bar on 
either shoulder of Dick’s uniform coat. “ Quit 
your kiddin’, Tommy, and lead me to him, else I’m 
liable to get ‘ in Dutch ’ right off the bat, and good- 
29 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

ness knows I want to keep out of hot water if I can 
for a little while.” 

“ I’m not kidding you, Red. Dick has just re¬ 
ceived his commish as Monsieur le Capitaine. Up 
on your feet, man, and render his august personage 
all the honor due from a first leftenant to the 
wearer of the double bars.” 

Still Doyle looked doubtful and a little bit ruf¬ 
fled until Dick’s quiet affirmation finally convinced 
him as to the actual facts, but instantly a mental 
barrier arose between the three of them and the 
new feeling of comradeship was nipped in the bud. 
So long as DiGk and Doyle were of equal rank the 
latter did not mind in the least, but to find that 
Dick was now a captain and, worst of all, his own 
company commander, from whom he must receive 
instruction and to whose word he must give way, 
was a hard and bitter pill for First Lieutenant 
Percy Doyle of the National Army to swallow. 

Again the spirit of rivalry which had existed be¬ 
tween the two in the old days at school came to the 
fore. Once again Dick Comstock had walked off 
with the honors as he had done in the years gone 
by, and as before Reddy Doyle would not permit 
friendship to exist. That first sensation of affilia¬ 
tion which Dick had hoped was the changing of the 
old attitude of Doyle into pleasanter channels was 
lost and perhaps gone forever. 

30 


" REDDY” DOYLE 


“ Well, Captain,” remarked Percy after a little 
more talk which was no longer filled with spontane¬ 
ity, despite efforts on Dick’s part, “ I believe I will 
go to my billets if you will be kind enough to in¬ 
form me where they are.” 

“ We will walk over with you, Red,” Dick re¬ 
plied, in a tone he firmly believed was a cordial 
one, and he arose to suit action to his words. 

“ Not for a minute, thank you, Captain. Just 
have the orderly point them out to me, if you don’t 
mind,” said Doyle stiffly. 

Dick wanted to say something then and there 
which would put a stop once and for all to Doyle’s 
foolish attitude, but he decided it would be better 
to wait until some time when Tommy was not 
around and then have a quiet talk with this old 
classmate and endeavor to straighten out in some 
way this unwarranted feeling of hostility which he 
could not help but feel was in the atmosphere. 

There was nothing disrespectful in Doyle’s man¬ 
ner,—nothing really tangible at least, nothing to 
which exception might as yet be taken, and he real¬ 
ized that the nut was going to be a hard one to 
crack, but for the sake of everyone concerned, the 
company, the corps and themselves, it must be 
cracked, and Dick must be extremely careful how 
he went about it. 

That Doyle’s character had not changed in the 
3i 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U . £. M. C. 

least was evident. He was as ready as ever to take 
exception to that which did not in all respects please 
him: to be hurt at imagined wrongs: to make moun¬ 
tains out of mole-hills. Yes, it needed careful con¬ 
sideration, but Dick resolved that it should be ac¬ 
complished in the end. 

“ Orderly! ” 

His ringing voice brought the marine promptly 
in answer to the summons. “ Show Lieutenant 
Doyle to Major Harrison’s old billet at once.” 

Then turning to Reddy he extended his hand. 
“ We will see you later at mess, Reddy. Glad to 
have you with us and if there is a single thing I 
can do to assist you don’t fail to let me know. In¬ 
cidentally, we believe our company is the best in 
the outfit and we want you to help us keep it so.” 

Lieutenant Doyle apparently failed to see the 
extended hand as he bent to pick up the suitcase 
he had deposited on the floor on entering. 

“ Thank you, Captain,” was all he said, and with 
a salute, he turned and followed the orderly out of 
the room. 

“ If I’d been you, I’d have kicked him down the 
stairs-” began Tommy, furiously. 

“Wait! Hold on a minute, Tommy,” inter¬ 
rupted Dick. “Forget it! I’m going to try to, 
and listen to me, kid, we’ve got to make Doyle one 
of us, understand. I know he bullied you at school, 
32 



" REDDY” DOYLE 


and I know he takes a peculiar view of things in 
general. Well, Tommy, it is up to us to change 
that. He has been sent here for instruction and 
he’s going to get it from all angles, and they will be 
glad to get him back in the army and we will be 
sorry to see him leave. We’re getting too much 
grown up to allow this sort of foolishness to affect 
us and we’ve got to make Red see it that way also.” 

“ Oh, I’ll be decent enough, Dick. I was at first, 
but let me tell you it goes against the grain mighty 
hard, mon cher , and if he starts anything with me, 
he’ll find that Tommy Turner of the Marines has 
got a couple of handy fists and knows how to use 
them better than that same Tommy Turner of 
Bankley High used to know how to throw snow¬ 
balls at seniors, and to better advantage, let me 
tell.” 

“ There you go, Tommy, starting in wrong, boy! 
Remember this, that any friction between the offi¬ 
cers is quickly noted by the men and if they get 
an inkling of this attitude on Doyle’s part, it is 
going to make more trouble than you can imagine. 
Doyle can be mighty pleasant if he wishes to be 
and he can and will make himself popular, espe¬ 
cially among certain men. To tell the truth it is 
too bad that he joined this company. It does seem 
that he had more than his share of this particular 
scion of the Comstock family during his earlier 
33 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U . 5. M. (7. 

career and it’s rather rubbing it in to have the Fates 
hand it to him again after all these years.” 

“ All right, Dick, I’ll watch out, but he’d better 
not monkey with me, that’s all,” said Tommy, and 
Dick shook his head, amused in spite of himself. 

Yes, there were some things in which Tommy 
proved himself as stubborn, if not as dumb, as a 
quahaug. 


34 


CHAPTER III 


TOMMY NEARLY LOSES SOMETHING 

As Dick had predicted, the coming days were 
filled to overflowing with hard, arduous work for 
the Marine Brigade. Besides brushing up on cer¬ 
tain phases of attack and defense, there were new 
methods pursued along various lines already 
adopted at the front, new experiments to be given 
a trial, and from early dawn till sometimes late at 
night the work kept with unremitting vigor. 

Nevertheless there were many opportunities for 
recreation in the immediate vicinity of the billets, 
and that the men after a day of such strenuous 
compulsory work still had enough vitality and 
“ pep ” left to engage in additional athletic feats 
upon the completion of their tasks, spoke most 
highly of their physical prowess and high standard 
of morale. 

Reddy Doyle slipped into his niche in the com¬ 
pany with most commendable ease and assurance, 
and though his manner toward Dick was cool and 
distant he was always most punctilious and main¬ 
tained the strict official bearing of a junior toward 
his superior at all times. It was as if he and Dick 
35 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 

had never met before and though Dick could find 
no fault with Reddy the very atmosphere when they 
were together seemed electrified. 

“ It’s almost like sitting on top of a blooming 
volcano and expecting the darn thing to blow up 
without a moment’s notice,” remarked Tommy, one 
afternoon as Reddy withdrew at the conclusion of 
a company conference. 

“ And as for me,” continued the lad, “ well, he 
treats me in such a manner that I feel like biting 
him in the leg, just to let him know that I’m around 
and ready for business.” 

“ Never mind, Tommy, remember what I said 
the night he arrived, and I believe everything will 
eventually turn out all right. Doyle is getting on 
splendidly with the men in the company and you 
can’t say he is inattentive to his duties nor lacking 
in his official dealings toward me.” 

“ But that is where you’re wrong, Dick. I tell 
you he is lacking in respect. His manner speaks 
louder than his words. Why, hang it all, sometimes 
I could go right up and punch him in the eye, I get 
so riled with his exact salutes, his-” 

“ Now, Tommy, cut that out,” said Dick sternly, 
and turning he strolled away down the village 
street, but his mind was full of Reddy Doyle as he 
strode along over the worn cobblestones. 

“ It is just as Tommy says, though,” he mused, 
36 



'TOMMY NEARLY LOSES SOMETHING 


kicking a stray pebble from bis path with unwar¬ 
ranted vieiousness, “ and at times I too experi¬ 
ence the same feeling that Tommy has—as if I 
couldn’t hold in another minute. I want to take 
him across my knee and apply a sound whaling with 
a good, broad shingle. It’s all I can do to keep my 
temper in check—he just seems to emit antagonism 
in his every word, look and action. I only hope 
I’ll have enough self-control to refrain from mak¬ 
ing a fool of myself before this rumpus is over.” 

“ Good-evenin’, Misther Dick—sir—I mean,” 
came a salutation to break in on these unhappy 
musings. 

It was old First Sergeant Mike Dorian, Dick’s 
first friend in the Marine Corps and the one who 
had been his mentor and guide since his entry into 
the service years before. The old fellow always 
had difficulty in remembering his young friend’s 
constantly changing rank, and more than half the 
time addressed him as “ Dick, me lad,” much to 
everyone’s amusement. 

“ And are ye goin’ down to watch the shot-put¬ 
tin’?” questioned the old fellow, as he fell in at 
Dick’s left side and took up the step. 

“ Shot-putting? What do you mean, Mike? ” 
inquired Dick, only too glad of something to 
change his train of thoughts. 

“ I thought as p’raps ye knew, sir. Ye see 
37 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

Loot’nent Doyle is learnin’ some of the men how 
to chuck one of them irron shot, sir, over in the 
field there. Last evenin’ one of the old Frinch 
fellers what lives in the village gave the men an old 
round cannon ball which he claims was fired at his 
house by the Germans durin’ the war of 1870. It 
weighs about sixteen pound, I’m thinkin’, and they 
began throwin’ it fer distance when the Loot’nent 
happened along and told ’em how to toss the thing 
without dislocatin’ their shoulder, as wan young 
feller nearly done, and he said he’d be over to-night 
to give ’em more instruction—that’s the meanin’ of 
the crowd over there now, I’m thinkin’.” 

“ Let us go over and see,” said Dick. “ I’m glad 
to hear that Mr. Doyle is getting on so well with 
the company.” 

“ Oh, yes, he’s a-doin’ fine, sir, and begorra he’s 
gettin’ the right spirit too. He spends a lot of time 
talkin’ with the older men—those who’ve been in 
the corps for many years, and he picks up a lot of 
the best dope that way, just as you did, Misther 
Dick. As he once said to me, ‘ I want to learn all 
this stuff so’s I won’t be after askin’ foolish ques¬ 
tions of the Capt’in all the toime and botherin’ him 
wid me ignorance!’ Yes, he’s makin’ good, all 
right,” ended Mike, so enthusiastically that Dick 
experienced a slight twinge of jealousy at this ful¬ 
some praise from his old bunkie. 

38 


TOMMY NEARLY LOSES SOMETHING 

Arriving in the field a few moments later they 
stood on the outskirts of the group watching what 
was transpiring. 

Several men essayed to throw the ball with some 
semblance of the proper form, but at best they were 
poor imitators and those who knew nothing of the 
sport were greatly surprised to find what short dis¬ 
tances only they were able to hurl the iron sphere. 

After a number more had made the trial and 
their distances recorded, Reddy Doyle stepped for¬ 
ward, and with a “ Here, let me show you again 
how it’s done,” he took the shot, poised in balance 
for a moment, then taking the seemingly meaning¬ 
less but necessary steps forward, shot his right hand 
outward from his shoulder. The hall seemed to 
leap from his hand and Doyle, twisting to the left 
at the edge of the rough ring marked on the ground, 
kept safely within its confines. 

On measurement it was found that the distance 
of his “ put ” exceeded by six and one-half feet the 
best record made by any of the men, and a deserv¬ 
ing cheer followed this exhibition of skill and 
strength. Reddy’s reputation was now firmly es¬ 
tablished and from then on until dark he instructed 
the men in the proper method and shared with them 
their pleasure over the immediate improvement 
they made. 

“We will have to make you the athletic officer 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

for the company, Mr. Doyle,” said Dick, who had 
advanced nearer the instructor. 

“ My time with your company will be of such 
short duration I hardly consider it would be ad¬ 
visable, sir,” answered Reddy, who for the first time 
was aware of Dick's presence, then picking up his 
coat from the ground he turned abruptly on his 
heel and left the little group. 

Though his words were temperate and his man¬ 
ner most military, there was not a man present who 
did not feel that Doyle had meant to be disrespect¬ 
ful, and as Dick too walked on there followed a 
little flurry of excited talk. 

“ Yea, Bo! Guess the new Loot handed some¬ 
thin' to the Old Man that time, eh? ” 

“ Sure sounded like it to me.” 

“Yes, and did you see the Captain flush up? 
Wow, I thought at first that there'd be something 
doing. The words were all right, but that manner 
of his, though apparently O. If. was—well, it 
looked mighty akin to disrespect or insubordina¬ 
tion or something,” spoke up an older non-com in 
the crowd. 

“ They aren’t very chummy, that's true,” said 
another, then he added, “ I heard they used to be 
school kids together back in their home town and 
that the Captain never did like Doyle. They could 
never get on together.” 


40 


TOMMY NEARLY LOSES SOMETHING 


“ Well, ye can bet yer life that it was no fault 
of Captain Dick’s. So don’t you believe that 
kind of stuff, friend. He’s not that sort of a 
inan,” came an instant defender to the front. 
“ And that’s enough fer you, young feller with 
the long tongue, and as long as ye don’t know 
nuthin’ about it, ye’ll be profitin’ by a wurrd 
of advice, me buck, and be for keepin’ yer mouth 
shut up a bit tighter,” came the voice of Top Ser¬ 
geant Dorian over the heads of those nearest the 
speaker. “ Stories the loikes of that without no 
foundation, at all, at all, is bad business to be 
a-startin’,” he ended. 

But as the days passed that little innuendo con¬ 
tinued to grow, fed from some unknown source, 
and soon a well exploited, unpleasant story had 
gained credence among certain members of the 
company. 

The following morning in the official mail Dick 
found a number of letters forwarded to Lieutenant 
Doyle from that officer’s former station, and while 
sorting them, Dick noticed one letter bearing the 
postmark of the town in New England where both 
he and Reddy had spent their boyhood. 

It had been some time now since Dick had re¬ 
ceived mail from his home, and as he held the letter 
for the moment in his hand he wondered what local 
items of interest to him it might contain. Lost in 
4i 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U . S. M. C. 

thought he did not hear the voice of Doyle address¬ 
ing him and it was not until that officer repeated 
his demand that Dick awoke from his day-dream 
to a sudden realization that he was still holding and 
gazing at Reddy’s letter. 

“ If you don’t mind, Captain Comstock, I’d like 
to have a chance to see whom that letter is from 
for myself,” said Doyle in an insinuating, sneering 
tone of voice, and Dick, greatly embarrassed at the 
situation, and feeling that his action in holding the 
letter as he did could have been misunderstood, 
placed it on the pile with the others, and then with 
a grim set of the jaw, without a word for fear he 
might say too much, he busied himself with his own 
mail. 

Doyle, after gathering up his possessions, sa¬ 
luted and departed from the room with a sarcastic 
smile on his face. 

Tommy Turner, who had witnessed the entire 
proceeding, also slipped from the room and reach¬ 
ing the street hurried after the red-haired officer, 
now some distance away. Arriving at Doyle’s side, 
Tommy suddenly took Reddy by the arm and 
swung him about so that the two stood facing each 
other; the youngster hot and glaring, the elder, 
cool and collected, but likewise curious. 

“ What’s the meaning of this assault, young 
man? ” demanded Reddy. 

42 


TOMMY NEARLY LOSES SOMETHING 

“ It means that either you go back and instantly 
apologize to Dick for your rotten insinuation, or 
I’m going to take it out of you.” 

The words seemed to explode under Doyle’s very 
nose. 

“ To what are you referring, Mister Turner? ” 
said Reddy coolly. “ It would appear to me, if 
any apologies are due, they are due me for this un¬ 
warranted attack, and I might add also, your most 
extravagant words.” 

“ Come off your high horse, Reddy Doyle,” 
roared Tommy, getting hotter and hotter. “ I 
don’t need to tell you what I mean, and if Dick 
Comstock didn’t happen to he your Captain and 
company commander, he’d give you the thrashing 
of your young life.” 

Doyle’s temper, never very far from the surface, 
was in its turn beginning to rise to the occasion, 
and with a “ Get out of my way, you poor little stool 
pigeon,” he pushed Tommy none too gently out of 
his path and strode on. 

“ I’ll beat you up for that, you—you—you—red 
head,” roared Tommy, as he attempted to lunge 
after the rapidly walking Doyle, but to his surprise 
he seemed to be pinned to the spot. Next he be¬ 
came aware of a strong hand holding to the shoul¬ 
der strap of his Sam Browne belt, and turning he 
found himself face to face with old Dorian. 

43 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U . S. M. C. 

“ Beggin’ yer pardon, sir, but this here strap 
seems to be needin’ a bit of adjustin’ and I took the 
liberty of thryin’ to fix it fer ye, sir,” and Mike’s 
big fingers still fumbled at Tommy’s back, but 
never once released their tight hold. 

“ There ye are, sir, ’tis fixed. I noticed the 
throuble as ye left the office and feared ye might be 
losin’ of somethin’, sir, if I didn’t come after and 
tell ye about it.” 

By now Doyle had turned the corner and was no 
longer in sight. 

“ Thank you, Mike,” said Tommy after a mo¬ 
ment of thought, and he looked squarely into the 
keen old eyes. “ Yes, I did nearly lose my temper, 
and if you hadn’t happened along when you did I 
might also have lost my commission.” 

“ Yes, sir, ye have to keep an eye open all the 
toime these days,” said Mike, nodding sagely. 
“ Ye have to be watchin’ yer belt for more than wan 
reason, and rememberin’ to keep the gadget tight 
buckled.” 


44 


CHAPTER IV 


INTO THE EBAY 

“ Hey, Tommy, something doing! Come on, 
wake up, you lazy bones, we’re in for it,” shouted 
Dick, rushing into the quarters occupied by his 
junior lieutenant and himself early on the morning 
of May 31st of the year nineteen hundred and 
eighteen. “ Shake a leg there, son! This is no time 
to stretch yourself and yawn. Hustle! I tell you 
we’re oif for the big fight.” 

“ Ah, go on, Dick, and don’t be bothering me,” 
answered Tommy in anything but the customary 
manner of a junior officer addressing a captain, 
and with the remark he rolled over to start on an¬ 
other “ lap ” of his sleeping race. 

Dick did not hesitate a moment as to his next 
move. He grabbed the ticking of Tommy’s feather 
mattress, gave it a quick jerk and tumbled the 
young gentleman on the floor in less than no time. 

“ I tell you. Tommy, it’s the real thing. The 
whole brigade is on the move. Orders for this out¬ 
fit to march in ten minutes. Throw your stuff into 
your roll 1 as fast as you can and get outside with 
it.” 

1 Bedding roll which officers carry while on campaign. 

45 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 

“ Do you really mean it? ” gasped Tommy, too 
much overcome at what Dick said to think about 
being indignant over the ignominious spilling he 
had received. “ Is there something doing this time, 
sure? ” 

“ You bet,” was the reply, and Dick, packing his 
clothing and field kit together and strapping up his 
bedding roll, went on rapidly. “No one, unless 
it’s the General, knows exactly what is up, but 
there’s the dickens to pay. The Germans are 
breaking through the lines. They’ve launched a 
new offensive and are driving a big wedge between 
Soissons and Rheims, right toward Paris. The 
French simply can’t hold ’em back. They are at¬ 
tacking by the thousands. The fight began on the 
27th and the French are literally being cut into 
bits.” 

“ And they’re going to send us in, to stop 
them? ” 

Tommy was by now pulling on his clothes with 
a speed which needed no goad. 

“ That’s the idea, and according to all accounts 
we’re going to find our hands full, right enough. 
You see all the time since Russia backed out of the 
scrap the Huns have been transporting their armies 
from the Russian front over to this side. They’re 
all perked up on account of their recent successes 
and have new troops to throw into the line wherever 
46 


INTO THE FRAY 

and whenever they wish to do so. Are you almost 
ready?” 

“ Ready? I don’t need any of this blooming 
stuff if it’s a case of getting out to stop those scoun¬ 
drels,” said Tommy vehemently, “ and don’t worry, 
we’ll stop ’em right and set them on the back trail 
in a jiffy with their tails between their legs.” 

“ Don’t be foolish; you must have your stuff 
along in case of need. Grab what you can and be 
ready in five minutes,” and off dashed Dick out into 
the cobbles toned streets of Vaudancourt in the 
vicinity of which town the brigade had been under¬ 
going their ten days of the most strenuous training 
they had so far experienced in France. 

Already the marines were piling into the street 
and lining up in long rows in front of their billets. 
The place was filled with armed soldiers, with na¬ 
tive men and women, with the ubiquitous small boy 
even at this early hour. There were shouts and 
cries, laughter and tears, song and sadness, joyous 
whistles and cheers, as one after another of the 
ranks wheeled away and went swinging down the 
road toward Daughn. 

The weight of the heavy packs was not felt. 
Sore feet were forgotten. Days of strict drill and 
discipline were dismissed from the mind. The past 
with its memories, rich or poor as the case might be, 
was cast aside for the future—the day for which all 
4 7 




CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C 



The New Blanket Roll. 


48 







































INTO THE FRAY 

their trials and tribulations had been training them, 
hardening them—the day when at last, in a solid 
body, shoulder to shoulder, they might meet and 
measure swords with the hated Boche. 

They sang as they swung along under the rays 
of the early morning sun,—these boys and men so 
light of heart, for they were thrilled with the 
thought that their day was now at hand. 

“ We’ll show ’em, gol dum ’em,” smiled a long, 
lean private from 44 way down East.” 

44 1 say, Top, did you-all get any dope as to 
what’s goin’ on?” questioned a bright looking, 
young southerner. 

44 Begorra, there’s plenty of dope and little 
enough of the real facts,” answered First Sergeant 
Dorian. 44 Them Frinchies are about dyin’ in their 
thracks. And it ain’t from shot and shell alone, 
it’s from being just nacherally tuckered out with 
harrd foightin’. The poor divils haven’t had no 
relief at all for weeks and weeks, and that old 
German war lord, Luden-duff’s 1 his name, I’m 
thinkin’, is throwin’ of fresh Heinies into the battle 
all of the toime.” 

44 Where do they say we’re going in, Sergeant? ” 
asked another private, a graduate of Yale and one 
of that university’s famous track athletes. 

44 1 don’t rightly know, son,” responded Mike, 

1 Ludendorf. 

49 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , C7. M. C. 

“ but by simmerin’ down all the rumors it’s pretty 
sure that we’ll be for goin’ out past Paree and up 
around a place called Shatter Teary, 1 and when we 
git there them tired Frinchmen are goin’ to fall 
back through us, and we’re to keep on a-failin’ back, 
and holdin’ the Dutchmen from cornin’ too fast— 
till somethin’ happens—at least them’s the orders,” 
and Mike looked at the Yale man and gave him a 
comprehensive wink, and the university-trained 
man returned it. 

“ Of course, as ye know, orders is orders, but I 
never see a bunch av m’rines goin’ into a foight yet 
where they intended to do anny failin’ back, and 
I’m thinkin’ this here ain’t a-goin’ to be no different 
now than it ever has been.” 

At Daughn they rested and soon great clouds of 
dust were to be observed far down the road. 
Transportation was to arrive for them at ten o’clock 
sharp, and right on the stroke of the hour, with a 
thoroughness and promptness which was character¬ 
istic of the French during the entire war, the rattle 
and roar of heavy motor cars filled the air as camion 
after camion came rushing up the village streets 
from the southeast to take aboard their loads of 
human freight. 

Twenty to thirty men these great machines held 
and no sooner was one filled up than off it started 

1 Chateau Thierry. 

50 * 


INTO THE FRAY 


in the direction of Paris. Before reaching the great 
city their course was changed and they passed 
through many beautiful suburbs, where ornate 
residences of the rich were charming with their 
wealth of well-kept lawn, and hedge, and garden. 
Here crowds met them; lined the way on either 
side; flung flowers at the laughing warriors, cheered 
them, feted them. Vive les Americaines! Vive la 
France! 

From wonderfully tended suburban streets to the 
mighty Metz highway, on past growing crops in 
the pleasant fields, wended the camions. And now 
the road became a steady stream of soldiery. Great 
guns rattled and swayed behind powerful tractors 
bulkily moving with the current. Foot soldiers, 
lighter field guns trundled along behind tired and 
straining horses. Troop on troop of cavalry, their 
lances shining in the sun like a forest of Brobding- 
nagian pins with their sharp ends pointed heaven¬ 
ward. Great throbbing motor cars carrying for¬ 
ward some general and his staff. Train after train 
bearing ammunition to feed the guns, forage to 
feed the horses, rations to feed the men. 

On and on, through great clouds of dust which 
grew and grew, caking on the backs of horses, on 
the faces of the men, covering their clothing with its 
fine powder, stinging their eyes, parching their 
throats. 


5i 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U . S. M. C. 

And now came the saddest sight that these ma¬ 
rines had yet witnessed since their advent into the 
struggle. It was the counter current of humanity 
fleeing before the advance of rapidly-advancing, 
victory-maddened invaders. 

There they came, an heterogeneous multitude. 
There were horse-drawn carts, ox-drawn carts, dog- 
drawn carts, men and women and children-drawn 
carts, piled high with such manner of household 
effects as came first to hand when the owners knew 
they finally must flee else suffer still greater loss 
and possible death should they remain behind. Old 
women and tottering old men; toddling children, 
babes in arms, wearily struggling southward or 
resting, dead tired, in the fields near the roadside. 
No glow lit their faces. No cheers for those going 
forward were here, and yet no tear of futile despair 
dimmed their eyes, but like driven sheep, patient, 
heart-wounded, soul-rended, they bore their cross; 
leaving behind them their homes, their tilled fields, 
their growing crops. Poor, patient, plodding, in¬ 
nocent victims of a wicked nation’s greed. 

Here no bouquets of flowers were flung to these 
sea-soldiers of Uncle Sam, but if ever the iron reso¬ 
lution “ to avenge ” entered the body and soul of 
each and every man who saw this heart-breaking 
review it was on this day after Memorial Day as 
they went flashing by in their crowded camions, 
52 


INTO THE FRAY 


bound for their baptism of shot and shell and poi¬ 
son gas; bound for their entry into the real hell of 
war. 

“ Sure, and I wish I was big enough to gather 
every mother’s son of them in me arrms—aye, and 
the mothers too, God bless ’em, and rock them all 
to sleep—the poor, brave, tired bodies,” mumbled 
old Mike, “ and don’t ye laugh at me, ye young 
leatherneck, just because I’m a-wipin’ of a bug out 
of me eye, or I’ll be givin’ ye some plenty days 
extra police duty and I get ye back to the States 
ag’in.” 

“ He’s not laughing, Sarge,” said a marine 
squeezed in close beside the old sergeant. “ The 
boy’s crying himself.” 

“ Don’t ye suppose I know it, ye fool, and that 
if I don’t be gettin’ mad at somethin’ I’ll be blub¬ 
berin’ too? Drat that fly annyway,” and this time 
the old fellow made out to blow his nose vigorously, 
with much waving of a red, bandanna handker¬ 
chief. 

“ What is the name of the last city we passed 
through? ” asked someone in the rear. 

“ That there is called Mooks 1 or some such name 
and them people livin’ there didn’t look none too 
happy, I’m thinkin’. They say everyone fears 
them Heinies is cornin’ right on down the Paree- 

1 Meaux. 

S3 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK f U. S. M. C. 

Metz highway into the capital itself, and they don’t 
see how annythin’ is goin’ to save them.” 

“ I reckon it’s up to us Marines and no mistake, 
this time, fellers,” sang out a stocky, fair-haired lad 
from the Middle West. 

“ We’re with you, boy,” came voices from every 
side. 

On and still on went the camions. Some of them 
fell by the wayside. Repairs had to be made. Fuel 
replenished. Some lost their way in the dark, and 
were late in arriving, but none too late, and then 
after thirty hours of travel the tired, stiffened men 
almost fell from their conveyances, stumbled into 
ranks, and off they marched, company after com¬ 
pany, battalion after battalion, out and on into the 
darkness till their assigned sectors being reached 
they could fall down in their places and snatch a 
little rest. 

And there across the Paris-Metz road, stretching 
from Bois de la Marette, through Lucy le Bocage 
to Bois de Veuilly, these two regiments and one 
machine-gun battalion of marines waited for the 
time when the French forces, stubbornly falling 
back, should pass through their lines to the rear and 
leave these fresh, practically untried gladiators to 
take up their struggle against the impending tide— 
the oncoming flood of Huns. 

The most that the French general in high com- 
54 


INTO THE FRAY 


mand hoped for was that these Americans might 
fight and fall back; stemming the onslaught for 
sufficient time to allow his war veterans to reor¬ 
ganize, and then again enter the battle. And those 
were the orders to the commanding general of the 
2nd U. S. Division, and passed along to the general 
of the Fourth Brigade, and handed down to the 
colonels, the captains, the privates. 

“Hold and then fall back! Hold and fall 
back! ” Thus came the words, but—marines may 
know how to hold, yet in their military lexicon there 
is no term—“ fall back.” 


55 


CHAPTER V 


THE AMERICANS TAKE COMMAND 

With the sudden departure from their last 
training area, life for the marines was made up of 
stern realities and all that day of June the first the 
companies, battalions and regiments of the Fourth 
Brigade were engaged in connecting up their posi¬ 
tions in the line; digging their shallow entrench¬ 
ments for temporary protection; establishing tele¬ 
phonic and runner communication with their vari¬ 
ous headquarters, and wondering at just what hour 
the brave poilus out in front of them would fall 
back through their lines and leave the brigade to 
face the advancing host. 

All through that day and the following the roar 
of the German guns apprised them of the sangui¬ 
nary conflict, and that roar became more impelling 
as the long hours crept by. From their positions 
along the line they were able to follow the course 
of the barrage as it swept slowly along ahead of 
the foe, and now a steady line of broken, wounded 
men kept coming back, receiving medical attention 
in the American dressing stations along with some 
56 


AMERICANS TAKE COMMAND 


of the marines wounded by shell fire or bombs from 
German airplanes which continually passed back 
and forth overhead. In the distance the sausage¬ 
like observation balloons of the Prussian forces 
were seen high up over the trees to their front and 
it was necessary to keep well concealed else there 
soon followed a well laid explosion of high-pow¬ 
ered projectiles in their midst. 

On the extreme left of the line the marines were 
joined to the French near the Bois de Veuilly and 
it was near here, south of Hill 142, close to Les 
Mares Farm that Dick’s company found them¬ 
selves when finally the pressure of the Germans be¬ 
came too great and the tired, wounded, broken, dis¬ 
heartened French filtered through to the rear, and 
across the open spaces, in close pursuit, came the 
victory-inflated Huns. 

Lying there, watching, waiting, the eager “ sol¬ 
diers of the sea ” glimpsed the progress of the first 
platoons of the hated Boche. Out from a thick 
wood they tramped, confident—insolent. Already 
Paris was theirs for the taking. There was naught 
to stop them. This last break and retreat of the 
light-blue-clad ranks meant the end of opposition. 
On to Paris! Dcr Tag was finally at hand, and 
those first there would reap a wonderful harvest of 
loot,—of glory. 

In perfect order their lines advanced out from 
57 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

the shade of that baleful wood, out into the sun¬ 
shine of that June day. 

For hours the tired troops had been passing the 
waiting marines. In French, in broken English, in 
patois, in real bona fide American dialect, they told 
of the danger following so close at their heels. 
They shouted words of encouragement which they 
did not feel; they cheered the waiting ranks with 
throats parched and choking, for deep down in 
their hearts they feared that nothing could now 
avail. None could do more than they had already 
done. 

“ They are coming back pretty fast,” whispered 
a boy lying near old Mike Dorian. “ I don’t see 
how there can be many more out there now.” 

“ An’ I’ll be guessin’ them that’s still out there 
won’t be cornin’ back, me lad,” said the old soldier, 
softly. “ But when the last av them Frinchies does 
get through, then this here war’s goin’ to take a new 
starrt, for it’s us against them Heinies then and no 
mistake.” 

“ What do you mean by that, Top? ” 

“ Wurrd’s just come down the line that our own 
officers is in charrge and the Commandin’ Gin’ral of 
this here Second Division of the United States 
Arrmy has taken over the command from the 
Frinch gin’ral.” 

“ Then we don’t have to fall back, like that gen- 
58 


AMERICANS TAKE COMMAND 

eral said we did? ” questioned another man who had 
heard Dorian’s words. 

“ What—us m’rines ‘ fall back ’? Huh! ” and in 
Mike’s voice there was a world of scornful nega¬ 
tion, and again he was heard to say, “ Who ever 
heard tell of Uncle Sam’s M’rines failin’ back? ” 
With that the old veteran crept away to report to 
Dick that he had seen the glimmer of German 
rifles and the shadow of German uniforms on the 
edge of the woods across the waving fields of wheat 
to their front. 

“ Glory be, Captain Dick, but this is goin’ to be 
real, old-fashioned foightin’, sir. It’s in the open 
and there ain’t no trinches a-cuttin’ up of the 
ground for a feller to be failin’ into and be forever 
a-gettin’ lost in. It’s like the good old serappin’ 
days, sir,” and Mike Dorian’s face was wreathed 
in smiles, as, soon after making his report to Dick, 
he crouched behind the covering branches of a low, 
scrubby growth and watched the slow advance of 
the Germans across the open fields up toward the 
lines of silent marines waiting for the word of com¬ 
mand to begin their telling share in this man’s-sized 
scrap. 

All about them the shells were bursting with 
deadly execution. A few feet behind Dick and 
Dorian a “ dud ” 1 struck the ground with sicken- 

1 A shell which fails to explode on impact. 

59 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

ing thud. Out over the fields of wheat cottony 
balls of shrapnel from the American field pieces 
burst against the blue sky scattering death in their 
wake. The roar of heavy guns from both sides of 
the line; the whining of “whizz bangs ”; the bee¬ 
like buzzing of machine guns; the whirring of 
German airplanes; the groans of wounded or dy¬ 
ing; the dust and dirt where masses of solid earth 
were thrown high into the air; droning, roaring, 
blasting, crashing—Inferno! 

Would the word never be given to fire? Was 
this to be a repetition of that memorable day at 
Bunker’s Hill when the unorganized farmers of an 
embryonic nation were told to hold their fire until 
they saw the whites of the advancing “ redcoats’ ” 
eyes? 

No, this was not to be like that day, for these 
marines were armed with a better “ fowling piece,” 
and they could hit the “ bull’s-eye ” with assurance 
at greater distances than those brave colonials ever 
dreamed of. They were trained fighters here, 
versed in the arts of war. Cool, collected, deadly in 
their grim determination. 


60 


CHAPTER VI 


THE MARINES STOP THE HUNS 

“ Commence firing! ” 

Dick Comstock shouted the words in order to 
make himself heard above the terrible uproar. 

“ Commence firing! Commence firing! ” 

Down the line it sped and then followed some¬ 
thing which up to this moment had never before 
been seen on the battlefields of Europe—a com¬ 
pany, a battalion, a regiment, a whole brigade of 
men deliberately setting the sights of their rifles, 
coolly taking aim, and firing as though they were 
trying for record scores at paper targets on a peace¬ 
time rifle range. 

The gray-clad, brownish lines of men felt the im¬ 
pact of that deadly fire. Shrapnel was nothing to 
it. The sweeping chance of machine-gun sprays 
was insignificant. The blasting burst of heavy 
projectiles was child’s play compared with this 
seemingly inhuman, calm, cold-blooded accuracy 
of aimed fire from those Springfield rifles in the 
hands of the United States Marines. The lines 
wavered. They stopped. They turned and ran. 

44 1 told you we’d send ’em back with their tails 
61 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

between their legs. Fine work, men! Go after 
them,” and Tommy Turner, grabbing up a rifle 
from one of his own men who had answered the last 
roll-call, plunged to earth beside the inert body and 
tearing a clip of cartridges from the near-by ban¬ 
dolier, 1 began taking his toll from the retreating 
ranks. 

“ I’ve helped to repay for you,” he whispered 
into the unheeding ear close to where he lay. 

“Stand by! They are reforming, men. Here 
they come. Give it to ’em again.” 

And once more the crack of the rifle was the 
song of death. 

Far overhead a French aviator, braving the 
German supremacy of the air, wonderingly noted 
this phenomenon, and taking unwarranted but gal¬ 
lant risk he swooped down as close to the marines 
as he dared, to shout to them his unbounded admi¬ 
ration. 

“ Bravo! Bravo! ” he shouted and then knowing 
his voice could not be heard he signalled the words, 
and sailing aloft again he carried back to the ar¬ 
tillery far in rear the range they could use to effect 
the most damage to the enemy. 

It must be conceded that those Prussian troops 
were brave as they came on again, slowly creeping 

1 Extra ammunition was carried in a sort of cloth belt or bag sus¬ 
pended from slings called bandoliers. 

62 


MARINES STOP THE HUNS 

forward across that field of death, on and on till 
again came that shattering fire. The advance again 
was checked, again it stopped, and again went back. 

Quickly the word was sent to the German gen¬ 
eral in command that the French defense had stiff¬ 
ened, that in some unaccountable manner they were 
repulsing the Kaiser’s chosen shock troops—stop¬ 
ping that scheduled rush to Paris. Another attack 
was ordered, but nothing could advance in the face 
of that leaden shower, and for the third time they 
fell back and now took shelter in the dense tangle 
of the Wood of Beautiful Water—the Bois de 
Belleaw. 

“ I reckon they don’t know what they’re up 
against, Lieutenant,” said a marine lying beside 
Tommy, as this last line of Huns disappeared from 
whence they came, “ and I don’t believe they’ll be 
coming back for a bit, do you, sir? ” 

“ I guess not,” Tommy replied, proudly. 
44 4 Three times and out,’ you know.” 

44 Well, sir, seeing that’s so, if you don’t mind 
could you give me a hand with this here leg of mine? 
I reckon it must be busted pretty bad. It’s been 
thataway for some time, but so long’s I lie on my 
stomach it’s all right for shooting.” 

A glance was enough for the young officer. The 
man was slowly bleeding to death. In a second, 
with the bayonet from the rifle he was holding, he 
63 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

ripped open the trouser’s leg from hip to puttee 
legging. A navy hospital corpsman, with his bag 
of medicaments and first-aid dressings, his own 
head white-bandaged, a crimson stain darkening it 
with the red badge of courage, came rushing up in 
answer to Tommy’s shout. Skillfully he applied 
his tourniquet to stop the further flow of blood. 
Quickly he bound a temporary splint on the broken 
leg and with the aid of others the wounded man 
was borne back to the field dressing stations, now 
crowded with blesses awaiting their turn for treat¬ 
ment, and as the brave marine was carried off he 
called back: 

“ Better use my rifle, Lieutenant; it’s better than 
the one you’re using, which belonged to poor, old 
Ivingsley, sir.” 

During the lull which followed the last retreat 
the lines were straightened but there were now 
greater distances between the ranks of the ma¬ 
rines. 

Lieutenant Percy Doyle, hurrying by on his way 
to report to his captain, called out to Tommy that 
he, too, was wanted at once, and that young man 
was soon following in Doyle’s footsteps. 

“ First of all I wish to compliment you both, and 
in fact the whole company, on your fine work,” be¬ 
gan Dick enthusiastically. “ I rather think the 
enemy are doing some tall talking right now as to 
64 


MARINES STOP THE HUNS 

what has happened, and I feel positive that we 
marines are the ones to whom must be given the 
credit for establishing the turning point of this 
war right here, to-day, hut we’re not through with 
it by a long shot.” 

“ I say, Dick, not a German got within a hun¬ 
dred yards of our lines, and you know we didn’t 
have a machine gun up this way to help us. It 
was all due to the wonderful training,—the time so 
well spent in teaching our men how to shoot. By 
jinks! Didn’t we pepper ’em? Oh, boy!” cried 
Tommy. 

“ Yes, I know, and now we have something else 
to do. To-morrow they will undoubtedly do every¬ 
thing in their power to get us started in the direc¬ 
tion they want us to go, but—oh, well—that’s to¬ 
morrow. I’ve just received word from the Regi¬ 
mental P. C. to establish advanced posts to-night 
and keep those fellows from sneaking up on us in 
the dark. They’ll probably try to do so under cover 
of the night and dig some of their infernal holes 
close to our lines and establish machine-gun nests. 
Over on our left there was an open space which the 
French filled up for a time, but they didn’t think 
we were holding so they fell back and word has 
come that the Huns are working around that way 
now. However, we’ll have that hole stopped up 
with some of the marine companies in reserve, so 
65 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C . 

the Colonel says, and all we need to worry about 
is our immediate front.” 

“ They’ll probably try to filtrate through us in 
ones and twos and then tackle us from the rear,” 
said Tommy, impetuously, as Dick was spreading 
out a map on the ground and poring over it. 

“ Here is where we are right now,” and Dick 
indicated on the map with the point of his pencil, 
“ and out in front of our line about a hundred yards 
you will see two slight rises in the ground—in fact, 
you can see them out there now quite plainly,” and 
he turned to look out over the field, pointing with 
his finger out in front of the company sector. 

The long twilight was beginning to give way to 
darkness, but Reddy and Tommy were able to dis¬ 
tinguish the spots specified. 

“We are to establish posts for the night on both 
of those mounds and we will have patrols out also. 
The rifle and machine-gun fire seem to be letting 
up, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we got a pretty 
heavy barrage during the night, and the men would 
better strengthen their lines as much as they can. 
Lieutenant Doyle, you will have the right half of 
that sector and the right advanced post, and 
Tommy, you will take the left. So go now and 
get busy with your details. By the time you have 
them ready it will be dark enough to send the men 
out in safety, without their being seen. Inciden- 
66 


MARINES STOP THE HUNS 


tally our battalion has a number of snipers posted 
in the Les Mares Farm buildings and your men 
must be cautioned about it. They know our men 
are going out. Good luck to you both. I’ll be 
around later to inspect the dispositions you have 
made of your men.” 

Not once during this interview did Reddy Doyle 
vouchsafe any remark or comment, but together 
with Tommy he saluted and left to set in operation 
the task allotted him. 

“ I’ll tell you what, Reddy, if we work together 
on this and arrange signals of some kind we might, 
perhaps, pick up a few prisoners during the night,” 
said Tommy, as they walked along, forgetting his 
rancor in the light of bigger things. 

“ And I’ll tell you, Lieutenant Turner, that my 
name is not ‘ Reddy,’ and furthermore, I can get 
along perfectly well without fixing up any signals; 
but of course, if you need assistance in arrang¬ 
ing your details I’m willing and ready to help 
you.” 

Tommy stopped short in his tracks and faced 
his companion. 

“ Well, of all the conceited, red-headed, obstinate 
donkeys I’ve ever seen, you take the cake,” he 
spouted forth indignantly; “ and-” 

“ Lieutenant Turner, I advise you to be more 
careful with your words, and furthermore, if this 
6 ; 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

time you don’t apologize here and now, I’m going 
to thrash you well, you insolent puppy.” 

With each word Doyle spoke he was getting 
angrier, and talking louder. 

Tommy took one withering look at the tormentor 
of his early boyhood days, and then stepping so 
close to Reddy that his nose barely missed touching 
that freckled member of the older man’s features, 
he said: 

“ If it wasn’t for what is threatening us out there 
in that wood across the way, I’d enjoy nothing 
better on earth than giving you that chance, Doyle, 
but we both have other and more important fish to 
fiy than just our own personal grievances, so for 
the sake of team work, right now, I do apologize 
and after this fight is all over, I’ll repeat what I 
just said to you. The trouble with you, Doyle, is 
that you don’t know when you are well off,” and 
before the slower witted Doyle had understood that 
Tommy’s apology was really no apology at all, the 
youngster had gone off to join his section. 

“ Pretty fresh, I should say! ” 

Lieutenant Percy Doyle was so startled at the 
remark seeming to come from the sky over his head 
that he turned a little pale, for in spite of the roar¬ 
ing and grumbling that was in the air the words 
were distinctly audible. “ Who’s there? ” he chal¬ 
lenged, gazing about him into the gathering shad- 
68 


MARINES STOP THE HUNS 


ows. Then his eyes caught sight of the figure of a 
man blotted against the sky in the branches of a 
tree directly over his head. 

“ Come down here/’ and with his command 
Reddy whipped out his pistol, pointing it menac¬ 
ingly overhead. 

With little trouble the man dropped lightly to 
the ground, and when he stood at attention before 
his superior officer, there was something about him 
which vaguely reminded Reddy of someone he 
knew or had seen before. He was a medium sized, 
lithe, active fellow, and as near as Doyle could 
judge, about thirty-five years of age. His clothing 
was nondescript, a uniform which might be either 
army or marine. He was hatless and coatless and 
in his hand was a rifle. A belt with bayonet and 
canteen attached was about his waist and two or 
three bandoliers of ammunition were slung over his 
shoulders. 

“ Well, who are you, and what are you doing up 
in that tree? ” 

“ I’m a marine, sir Lieutenant, attached to the 
Q. M. D. Couldn’t stand it back there with the 
mules any more, what with shells bursting all 
around us and no chance to pay back, so I came up 
here to get in a shot or two on my own account if 
I could.” 

“ You’ve no business up here,” responded Doyle. 
69 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

“ You get back where you belong. If the rest of 
your rotten outfit are like you maybe it accounts for 
the fact that our men are getting nothing to eat 
but that rotten ‘ monkey meat ’ 1 and blamed little 
of that. What’s your name? ” 

“ The same as yours, sir Lieutenant.” 

“ What’s that? You say your name is Doyle? ” 
“ Yes, sir.” 

“ Where are you from? ” 

“ New York City, sir.” 

“ No, I mean where is your outfit? ” 

“ Oh! I don’t just now know, sir. You see I 
left them yesterday morning way back there some- 
wheres and I’ve been going on my own ever since.” 

“ How did you get up with the front so 
quickly? ” quizzed Reddy. “ Aren’t you with the 
train? ” 

“ Yes, sir, but you see, I came along with the 
motor section.” 

Doyle scrutinized the man’s face as carefully as 
he could in the gathering gloom, but it was impos¬ 
sible to tell by his features whether he was lying or 
not, and in a way he admired the fellow’s spirit. 
His desire to be doing something which seemed 
more in keeping with a soldier’s part than dealing 
out rations, or as he implied tending the animals, 

Australian canned meat. A component of the ration issued the 
French soldiers. 


70 


MARINES STOP, THE HUNS 

was not to his discredit certainly, and then* too, his 
name was Doyle, and that acted as a connecting 
link of comradeship in a way. 

44 But I understood you to say you were back 
with the mules.” 

“ Yes, sir, I did, but I was speaking figuratively, 
you see, sir,” then he paused but in a moment had 
taken up the talk quickly. “ I—I don’t know 
where my outfit is, sir. I’d like to report to you 
and I know you’ll give me a chance to get at those 
Huns before you turn me over to the M. P., sir.” 

The contradictions of the man and his vacillating 
manner between servility one moment and forward¬ 
ness the next, made the situation rather puzzling to 
the officer. 

“ Come along. I guess as long as you are here 
you might as well fight up on the line with the rest 
of them, rather than go sniping around here on your 
own. Besides, you might be mistaking our troops 
for the enemy if you are not posted.” 

In the gloom the soldier cast a quick, questioning 
glance at Doyle, and then he volunteered a remark 
which effectually changed the subject for the time 
being. 

44 That’s a pretty fresh kid who was speaking to 
you a while back, sir. I’ve had run-ins with him 
myself. He needs to be taken down a peg or two.” 

Doyle knew better than to allow the man to talk 

n 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U . S'. M. <7. 

in this manner, but his curiosity was piqued, and 
he made the fatal mistake of discussing Tommy 
with an enlisted man. 

“ What has he ever done to you? ” he questioned, 
almost before he knew he had made a sound. 

“ Oh, several times we’ve had words since we’ve 
been on this side of the ocean,” replied the fellow 
vaguely, and then he added: “ He sure has got it in 
for you, sir. You’ll have to watch out for him or 
he’ll do you dirt.” 

“ I guess that will do with that sort of talk,” said 
Reddy, suddenly remembering his position and 
ashamed to have given way to his curiosity. “ Here 
we are now. I’ll turn you over to Sergeant Peter¬ 
son; he’ll see that you get your fill of fighting.” 

“ Just one moment, sir Lieutenant,” the man 
spoke quickly. “ If you don’t mind, sir, so long as 
I don’t belong to anybody or to any company out 
here, as it were, couldn’t I act as your orderly, or 
your runner or something like that, sir. You’ll 
excuse my mentioning it again, sir, but I surely did 
admire the way you called that fresh—I mean I’d 
like to serve right directly under you, sir, if I 
might.” 

For a moment Doyle hesitated. Evidently the 
man was sincere, and Reddy Doyle was never 
averse to personal flattery and—“ Oh, well, I guess 
it will be all right for the present; anyway until we 
72 


MARINES STOP THE HUNS 


can get the matter straightened out. Sergeant 
Peterson,” he called, “ Private Doyle, here, is to be 
my orderly for the time being. He’s attached to 
this section and under my personal orders.” 

This matter being arranged satisfactorily and the 
presence of Private Doyle officially sanctioned, 
Reddy now set about his delayed preparations for 
his patrols and outpost. His talk with his new or¬ 
derly had consumed more time than he had im¬ 
agined and he already had delayed too long the 
carrying out of Dick’s orders. 


7 3 


CHAPTER VII 


THE FIRST “ALL-AMERICAN ” ADVANCE 

Shortly after eleven o’clock Captain Dick 
Comstock started out to make his inspection of the 
sector occupied by his company. In due time he 
crossed the hundred yards between the lines and the 
advanced post established by his orders and com¬ 
manded by Lieutenant Turner. Tommy accom¬ 
panied Dick through the fields of growing wheat. 
It was quiet out there—comparatively quiet, when 
the thunders of the past day’s activities were taken 
into consideration, and as they slowly made their 
way forward these two friends conversed in an 
undertone hardly above a whisper. 

“ Reports from all along our entire line show 
that we stopped them at every turn, to-day, 
Tommy.” 

“ Oh, I just knew we could do it, Dick. We 
may be new to that trench stuff, but when it comes 
to getting out in the open and doing real he-man 
fighting, I agree with Old Mike, we can hand it 
to ’em. But it costs dearly.” 

“ Yes, some of our best men have ‘ gone West 5 
74 


THE FIRST ADVANCE 


to-day, but that must be expected. ,We can’t all 
escape. Some of us have to give up our lives. A 
battle for a principle never yet was won without 
bloodshed; only this war is on a bigger scale than 
ever before in the history of the world. However, 
the thing for us to do now is to start a little of this 
driving business on our own account while they are 
worried over what we have already done.” 

“ Is there any chance of that—of our making an 
attack soon, Dick? ” questioned Tommy eagerly. 
44 I could hardly keep my men from going over 
after them to-day when they saw them beating it 
for cover in such a hurry.” 

“ The chances are more than good,” Dick re¬ 
plied; 44 in fact that’s what I’ve come to tell you 
about.” 

44 What! We’re going over the top—we’re going 
to attack! ” Tommy almost shouted, forgetting for 
the moment the necessity for silence. 

44 Halt! Who’s there?” 

64 Officers! ” answered Dick hastily. 

44 All right, sir, advance. I recognized your 
voices anyhow,” replied a youthful voice, as a hel- 
meted head appeared rising from the wheat stalks 
less than five feet in front of them. 

Dick found the little advanced post well estab¬ 
lished and the men on the alert. Out here it was so 
dark that it became necessary to depend almost 
75 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

entirely on one’s hearing in order to carry on one’s 
duties at all successfully. 

“Anything suspicious? ” he inquired of Corporal 
Braden who was awake and on duty at the time. 

“ Nothing except one of the sentries out in front 
a ways did think he heard some digging out there 
a bit ago, but two of us investigated and could find 
nothing, sir. The field is full of dead Germans— 
you stumble over ’em in the dark, and it’s kinder 
creepy like, sir.” 

“ Have you arranged any signals with Doyle’s 
outpost? ” Dick now asked, turning to Tommy. 

“ Why—er—no,” hesitated that young man, but 
he added nothing further though it was on the tip 
of his tongue to tell Dick exactly what had oc¬ 
curred. 

“You should have done so,” said Dick. “ I 
didn’t think it necessary to tell you to, yet it’s not 
too late to remedy that. There are still three or 
four hours for your men out here. I’m going over 
to speak to Doyle soon and I’ll tell him to fix it up 
with you at once. Now before I go I’ll tell you 
the plans and orders for to-morrow.” 

Thereupon followed a talk on the details for the 
attack which was to take place. The field order 
had been issued from Brigade Headquarters at 
10: 25 that evening and even now many changes 
were being made in the disposition of the men so 
76 


THE FIRST ADVANCE 


as to bring the companies back under their proper 
battalion commanders, for during the day’s fight¬ 
ing the reserves had often been rushed in to hold 
or strengthen certain parts of the line, consequently 
there was now a general shifting about under cover 
of the darkness. The French, a few days since so 
downhearted and dismayed, were feeling the effects 
of the new impetus given to the struggle by the 
brilliant action of the Second Division in general 
and the Marine Brigade in particular, and they 
were relieving certain companies on the flanks of 
the exceptionally long line which the Americans 
had defended and held so tenaciously. 

“ Our company it appears is in its proper position 
so we won’t have to do any hiking around to find 
new sectors,” ended Dick. 

“ 4 Glory be,’ as Mike would say, but at what 
hour does the show begin? ” inquired Tommy. 

44 Three forty-five.” 

44 It’s too bad they couldn’t make it earlier. I’m 
afraid I might get an overdose of sleep, they are 
starting so late,” responded Tommy. 

44 Well, I’m afraid. Tommy, that you wouldn’t 
rest well: because there is to be a heavy barrage laid 
down even earlier. Our objective is not far anc( 
after we gain it we must hold it because they’ll bq 
sure to send over some strong counter attacks. We 
have our work cut out for us right enough. It 
77 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , V . S. M. C. 

is said the ground ahead is ‘ loaded to the gun¬ 
wales ’ with machine guns. You would better 
bring back your men by three-thirty without fail. 
Good-night. I’m off to find Doyle. Good luck. 
Tommy! ” and off the young captain tramped. 

He found Doyle taking a little much needed rest 
back of the line, but Reddy was immediately wide 
awake on hearing the news which Dick brought, 
and while Dick was explaining the part Doyle 
would play in the coming event Private Doyle came 
up to report that the sergeant in command of 
Reddy’s advanced post desired to see the Lieuten¬ 
ant at once if convenient. 

“ That reminds me, Doyle, that you and Turner 
should have arranged some kind of signals for that 
work out there. It might prove handy, and it’s 
not too late even now to fix it up, so you would 
better get busy at once.” 

“ But it must be nearly midnight, and as we’re 
going to attack at 3: 45 it hardly seems necessary,” 
objected Reddy. 

“ Nevertheless, Lieutenant Doyle, you will do 
so,” came the curt reply from Dick. 

“ I suppose your friend Tommy told you a few 
tales,” sneered Reddy. 

“ I don’t know to what you are referring, Doyle, 
but if either of you thought of it, as I expected you 
would, I am surprised you didn’t go ahead with 
78 


THE FIRST ADVANCE 


it. Come along; I’ll go out with you and see how 
things are going. Now don’t forget the hour the 
attack begins—remember 3:4 5 a. m.” 

“ Are we going to attack, did you say, sir Cap¬ 
tain? ” 

Dick was surprised at the interruption, and 
looked keenly at the man to learn who he was, but it 
was too dark to distinguish features. 

“ Who are you? ” he inquired sharply, but before 
the man could answer Reddy Doyle had spoken 
for him. 

“ It’s my runner. Captain. I guess he forgot 
himself, and for the moment his enthusiasm ran 
away with him,” and there was decided indication 
of annoyance in Doyle’s tone and manner. 

When Dick, Reddy and the runner Doyle ar¬ 
rived at the outpost Sergeant Peterson came hurry¬ 
ing up, his voice betraying excitement. 

“ There’s a bunch of Germans out in front about 
twenty-five yards, I believe, and they are digging 
in,” he reported. “ We can hear them plainly up 
at the sentry’s post by putting our ears to the 
ground. I thought it best to report to you before 
doing anything on my own, sir.” 

“ Send out a patrol at once to make sure, Ser¬ 
geant,” ordered Dick, “ and, Doyle, send your run¬ 
ner back to get a few more men out here in case 
we need them. It may be a fine chance to bag a 
79 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

few prisoners/’ but when Percy turned to look for 
the man Doyle he was not at hand so he despatched 
another man with the message. 

By the time the squad had arrived the patrol 
sent out to investigate the suspicious noises had 
returned and reported that as they neared the spot 
they estimated that about fifteen men were busy in 
the wheat field near a little mound of stones, pre¬ 
paring a machine-gun nest, but that while the patrol 
was watching them in order to make sure if possible 
of their number, for some unknown reason the 
Germans had picked up their tools and hurried off 
through the fields toward the distant wood. 

“ Something must have scared them off, sir,” 
volunteered Private Fuller, who had been in charge 
of the patrol, “ for when we first came upon them 
they were working away like beavers and just as 
silent, and then they began talking excitedly and 
pulled stakes on the double.” 

Doyle was disappointed. “ You men must have 
been careless and they heard you,” he said angrily. 

“ No, sir, I defy anyone to have heard us, we 
went so quietly,” said Fuller, who was hurt at 
Doyle’s unwarranted accusation, “ and we were tak¬ 
ing the risk, sir, and more than anxious to get ’em.” 

“ Never mind, Fuller,” said Dick, “ we will have 
plenty of other opportunities before the war is over. 
I’m going back to my P. C. now, Doyle; don’t for- 
80 


THE FIRST ADVANCE 


get to make all your arrangements for zero hour,” 
and with that he turned to leave and nearly stum¬ 
bled over Private Doyle, the new runner. 

“ Here, where have you been? ” asked Dick, who 
recognized the man, even in the darkness, by his 
figure. 

“ I just heard that the Lieutenant was calling 
for me, sir, and I came up on the double,” answered 
the man, pantingly. 

44 You’d better give this runner of yours some 
further instructions about being around when he’s 
wanted,” said Dick, turning to Reddy, and then he 
added : 44 Good-night, and good luck; I’m returning 
to my P. C.” 

44 Guess he knows it all too,” sneered Private 
Doyle, gazing after Dick’s retreating figure, and 
though Reddy Doyle overheard the remark he made 
no comment or correction as he should have done. 
As a matter of fact he was feeling anything but 
pleased with himself. Angry because the Ger¬ 
mans had escaped his men and thereby losing a 
chance to show Dick that he could ably handle the 
situation, and also peeved over the orders Dick had 
given him to do what Tommy Turner had at first 
suggested as a wise precaution, he forgot to ques¬ 
tion Doyle where he had been when wanted so badly 
a few moments before. 

Nothing untoward occurred during the rest of 

Si 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S* M. C. 


the night, but back of the lines tired marines were 
moved about from one point to another; taken from 
here to be placed there, and by three o’clock all was 


M 


SCALE 

/O MIL6S TO ONE INCH 

(/: j; 33 . too) 

S’ to tr jo 

I ■ ml -1-I .1 

MILES 


£■ ,e _ 20 JO VO 

KILOWerEHS 

"*'■*•*.0 so/s SOS/S 



OU/RCg RIVER 
CHATEAU THIERRY 
BLE5MES 


STAMPS 
FERE EN TAROENOIS 
SO/S SO ATS 
ft H E/MS 


Paris lies in direction of large arrow less than 50 miles distant. 
Dotted line represents the wedge the Germans had driven into 
the Allied lines, and Chateau Thierry is the apex of this wedge. 

On June 1st the enemy was advancing rapidly in a south¬ 
western direction along the small arrows. 

in readiness. Then with renewed vigor the guns 
of the divisional artillery began their chanting and 
overhead the shells whirled and screeched. Quickly 

82 






THE FIRST ADVANCE 


the hour for the first wave to advance arrived, and 
up from their shallow trenches the marines came 
like spectres, dim and indistinct; out they passed 
into the field which a few hours before had wit¬ 
nessed the defeat of the advancing Huns. 

Slowly they went forward, almost having to feel 
their way. An hundred yards, and now men 
stumbled in that field of wheat, dotted by the crim¬ 
son poppies—stumbled over bodies which possibly 
their own well-aimed bullets might have caused to 
lie so still. Dawn was heralded in the east. The 
chirping song of birds, sharp and penetrating, could 
be heard above the roar of battle. From the north 
and northeast the heavens were lighted with the 
distant flashes of the German guns laying down 
a counter barrage on the waves of attacking troops.' 
Behind them a continual blare and flash of light¬ 
ning from the protecting artillery. 

The spectres became black shadows, then changed 
into ghostlike, grayish creatures hurling death 
from their arms, waving semaphore-like against 
the purpling horizons. Finally the ghosts became 
lines of men clad in the winter field of the marines 
or the olive drab of the army, which latter clothing 
was gradually being issued to the sea-soldier bri¬ 
gade for the sake of uniformity in the American 
ranks. 

In rear of them, in the town of Lucy le Bocage 
83 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S . 2*f. C, 

the German shells were bursting with inhuman ac¬ 
curacy, and mingled with the high explosives were 
the shells carrying the mixtures of treacherous gas. 
Came the warning blare of Claxton horns and be¬ 
fore long the men in that portion of the line were 
wearing the ghoul-like masks. Again the clutter¬ 
ing of the machine guns, the sharp explosion of 
hand grenade and the French V. B.’s, but as a 
brave acconrpaniment to all this turmoil came the 
crack-crack-crack of those Springfield rifles once 
more. 

With cheer and threatening bayonet thrust the 
marines rushed the lines of the enemy who held out 
against them. They gained their objectives and 
began to consolidate their positions, and before 
eight o’clock the first attack ever made by an 
American Brigade in the World War had been 
carried to successful consummation, and though 
fire of cannon and rifle and mitrailleuse still blazed 
from the newly formed German lines, the marines’ 
task had been done. 

During the fight many had been killed and 
wounded, and many German prisoners had been 
taken by our forces, also there had been a number 
of desertions from the enemy’s ranks, and these 
were now tramping back under escort of proud 
marines to be questioned and cross-questioned at 
Divisional Headquarters. Bagged and dirty they 

84 


THE FIRST ADVANCE 


were, and badly fed as to food but over fed as to 
war, these sad looking, erstwhile conquerors. 

Yes, it was glorious; but what of the man—your 
bunkie, whose smiling face was missing at your 
side? 



85 


CHAPTER VIII 


THE CAPTURE OF BELLEAU WOOD 

“ We’ve got to move to another sector,” said 
Dick to his assembled officers, shortly before noon 
of the sixth day of June. “ The line is to be made 
stronger by increasing it in depth. We’ve been 
fighting over, and holding on to more territory than 
has been the custom over here, and now another 
attack has been ordered.” 

“ By jingo,” exclaimed Tommy, “ the Old Man 
may not be a regular marine but he’s got the marine 
spirit all right enough.” 

Reddy Doyle remained silent a moment as his 
questioning eyes glanced quickly at Tommy on 
hearing this remark, then he said: 

“ I take it you are criticising the general of this 
brigade—an army officer. Do you mean to insinu¬ 
ate that we of the army are usually cowards? ” 

Before Tommy could reply Dick had inter¬ 
rupted. 

“ Doyle, I wish you would cease this unwarranted 
and uncalled for attitude. This is no time for you 
to permit your personal prejudices, whatever they 
may be, to interfere with official duties. It is high 
86 


CAPTURE OF BELLEAU WOOD 


time that you forgot some alleged grievances that 
you appear to have nursed along since our school 
days, and be man enough to work for the common 
good, and you can’t do that unless your mind is 
cleared of such tommy-rot. We’ve not much op¬ 
portunity to discuss this matter, but if you can tell 
me and suppose you do, just what it is that either 
Tommy or I have done to hurt your feelings. If 
it’s a man’s reason, Doyle, let’s have it right now.” 

For a second or two Doyle stared at the broken 
grasses and thrown-up dirt at his feet. He opened 
his lips as if about to speak, and in another moment 
the whole matter might have been cleared up, but 
unfortunately Tommy Turner’s impatience became 
the cloud to obscure the clearing sky. 

“ Oh, don’t waste your time, Dick. Lieutenant 
Doyle has played this sour-grape role for so long 
that you can’t expect-” 

“ Shut up, Tommy!” Dick spoke quietly, but 
Tommy Turner saw a look in his captain’s eyes that 
he had never before seen there and hoped never 
to see directed at him again. And then Doyle 
spoke. 

“ I believe, Captain Comstock, that we all would 
be better satisfied if it could be arranged for me to 
be returned to my regiment. However, I will add 
that you need have no fear but that while I am 
serving with the marines I shall have their inter- 

87 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

ests and my country’s honor as much at heart as 
either of you, and-” 

“ I’m sure of it, Doyle,” said Dick, breaking in. 

“ —I—well, I must say this,” continued Reddy, 
“ I do feel that Lieutenant Turner’s derogatory 
remarks about the general commanding this brigade 
—an army officer—could not help but be obnoxious 
to me, and to my mind he should be disciplined 
rather than condoned. As to the other matters—I 
prefer not to discuss them.” 

“As you choose, Doyle,” and an impatient frown 
crossed Dick’s forehead; “ we will consider the in¬ 
cident closed for the present, and get back to the 
work in hand. I must caution you that the with¬ 
drawal of the company right now is considered a 
rather ticklish matter because of the German 
observation balloons. I don’t see where that 
boasted 4 supremacy of the air ’ is which the French 
and English have been crowing about for so long. 
It certainly isn’t around this neck of the woods.” 

“Are the orders for the attack issued? ” ques¬ 
tioned Reddy. 

“Yes, we are going to keep rushing them from 
now on, and give them no rest. That wood over 
there must be taken before any big advance can be 
made by us, and those who know say that it’s going 
to be a tough proposition to drive them out of there. 
We launch our attack at five o’clock this afternoon 
88 



CAPTURE OF BELLEAU WOOD 


and it is the intention of General Harbord to have 
us take the Bois de Belleau, and the railroad sta¬ 
tion at Bouresches, which of course means we must 
also capture the town and Hills 126 and 133, in 
order to straighten out our lines.” 

The three officers were now poring over the map 
which Dick held and whereon he explained in detail 
the sector limits, the different phases of the coming 
attack, the duties of each element and their com¬ 
manding officers. 

“ On the right and center during the second 
phase of the battle Colonel Catlin of the Sixth 
Regiment will command,” said Dick, “ and on the 
left Lieutenant Colonel Feland of the Fifth 
Marines will have direct charge. Marine machine- 
gun companies are to support us and the artillery 
preparation is under the orders of the commanding 
general of the Second U. S. Field Artillery 
Brigade, which laid down that fine barrage early 
this morning. A battalion of marines, less one com¬ 
pany, is stationed in the woods right here, just 
northwest of Lucy le Bocage, as the brigade re¬ 
serve. Now do you get it all?” he finished, and 
both Tommy and Doyle nodded silently. 

Dick folded up his map and returned it to his 
dispatch case. Five minutes later the company 
was being withdrawn, and in a short time was safely 
marching to its new position at about the center of 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U . S. M. C. 

the brigade, nearly opposite the southwestern point 
of the Bois de Belleau. 

During the march Dick, finding himself near 
Doyle, walked beside him for a time, hoping to 
break Reddy’s uncompromising attitude, if possi¬ 
ble, by pleasant conversation. 

“ What happened to that runner of yours, 
Doyle? I didn’t fully recognize the man in the 
dark last night. What was his name? ” 

“ He wasn’t a member of the company. Just a 
straggler from the Q. M. D., so he claimed. I 
found him up a tree potting away at the Germans 
on his own, early in the evening. Said he couldn’t 
stand it to have fighting so near and not get mixed 
up in it. He didn’t know where his outfit was so I 
took him with me and used him as my runner for 
the time being. After the attack this morning he 
wasn’t to be found. Possibly he was killed or 
wounded; anyway he’s missing.” 

“ What did you say his name w r as? ” 

“ Doyle,” replied Reddy, briefly. 

“ Never heard of him,” said Dick, “ but that isn’t 
strange in a brigade the size of these modern war 
affairs, especially with replacement troops coming 
up all the time. It’s hard enough keeping up with 
my own company as it is.” 

A little silence followed Dick’s remark, then 
Reddy asked: 


90 


CAPTURE OF BELLEAU WOOD 


“ Didn’t it seem to you that when we made our 
attack this morning the enemy appeared to be sur¬ 
prisingly on the alert right at zero hour? ” 

“ We did appear to get it a bit heavy,” Dick an¬ 
swered. “ I remember remarking on it at the time 
but until now I hadn’t thought of it again.” Then 
after a short pause, he added: “ Why? ” 

“ Oh, nothing,” said Reddy. “ I was thinking 
the same thing, that’s all,” but he added beneath his 
breath, “ However, I’m looking for one Private 
Doyle, Q. M. D., also a map and a pair of prismatic 
binoculars belonging to a lieutenant of the same 
name, and if I ever run across him he’ll need some 
help, let me tell you.” 

After reaching their designated place in the 
line, it was not long before the men of Dick’s 
company were huddled down behind the slight em¬ 
bankments which were doing duty as a precarious 
shelter from frontal fire of machine gun and rifle 
bullets. 

Slowly the minutes crept by and as the hour ap¬ 
proached the faces of the men grew more and more 
tense. Muscles twitched involuntarily. Sinewy 
hands grasped with crushing force the weapons 
they held, while across No Man’s Land, eyes stared 
fixedly. Occasionally there would break forth a 
strained, nervous laugh, but almost immediately 
followed an added compression of the lips. Nerv- 
9i 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

ous fingers sought waist-belts which somehow 
seemed to need tightening. 

Again the chorus of the artillery barking— 
thundering its message, and again the undertoning 
buzz of the smaller calibre weapons. Officers 
glanced at their watches, trying to appear calm, 
though inside their breasts there was a strange feel¬ 
ing of tautness. Their eyes never wavered from 
the minute hand of their timepieces, for in each 
attack every watch is synchronized so that there 
may be no mistaking the crucial hour—none to ad¬ 
vance fatally before the time set, none as fatally to 
stay behind. 

“Five minutes!” “Three minutes!” “One 
minute!” “Zero!” 

With each announcement the waiting warriors 
seemed to bend forward a fraction more. They 
looked like statues of stone—like bloodhounds 
straining at their leash—like the sprinter crouch¬ 
ing behind the starting line waiting the crack of 
the pistol—like the tiger measuring the distance 
to the prey for his final spring. Then came the 
word: 

“ Forward.” 

Quickly on their feet, from behind the low em¬ 
bankments, they answered the summons, out into 
the open went the first wave. Now they no longer 
felt the horrible strain but moved slowly, keeping 
92 


CAPTURE OF BELLEAU WOOD 


their lines dressed as though on parade or drill. 
Action had finally broken the soul-testing strain of 
anticipation. 

Out with the first wave went Tommy Turner. 
About fifty yards from their starting point the 
enemy began pouring into their ranks a murderous 



machine-gun fire. It seemed to sweep the stalks 
of wheat like a scythe, a foot from the ground. Men 
were falling rapidly now, and yet in that blast of 
leaden bullets there were men who were miracu¬ 
lously unharmed, undaunted, and steadily the first 
wave continued on toward its goal. Behind them 
came the second wave—then the third wave of liv¬ 
ing men, to dash against the barrier of Belleau 
Wood. 

Ahead of him, Tommy could see the trembling 
leaves on tangled brier and bush. Far up in the 
sky, just touched by the last rays of the declining 
sun, the green foliage of the higher trees looked 
dark and forboding within its depths. The very 
93 




CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U S. M. C. 

earth on which he trod was shaken—the air rever¬ 
berated with Titan blasts. 

Though the artillery preparation had been ex¬ 
cellent, the German gunners, deeply hidden among 
the ugly ledges of rock and boulder, behind inter¬ 
lacing brier and bough, had constructed their nests 
with fiendish cleverness, and with the raising of the 
barrage, as the attacking forces drew near the 
wood, each separate group had come from hiding 
to man their guns; to climb the trees and high in 
the sheltering branches pick off these stubborn 
troops opposing them and, for the time being, hold¬ 
ing up their scheduled advance. 

“ The first wave’s reached the wood, Misther 
Dick,” yelled Dorian into his captain’s ear. 

The old fellow made it a point to be as close to 
Captain Richard Comstock as his duties would per¬ 
mit. In fact, Old Mike regarded Dick almost in 
the light of a son, and his devotion, though some¬ 
times embarrassing, was always understood and ap¬ 
preciated. In the early days of Dick’s career, Ser¬ 
geant Dorian’s good advice had saved the recruit 
from many a pitfall set for the unwary, and to be 
near “ his bye,” the veteran had twice refused tem¬ 
porary commissions in the corps. 

As Dorian had said, the first wave was now at 
the edge of the wood, but there it seemed to hesitate. 
Apparently the fire of the hidden guns was hold- 
94 


CAPTURE OF BELLEAU WOOD 


mg it back for the moment. Dick could see his 
lieutenant as he urged his men to advance and then 
he saw the youngster, waving over his head a light 
stick which he carried, charge into the shadows, his 
men following, their cheers heard above the din of 
battle. 

Now the second wave had disappeared in the 
wake of the first, but their ranks were thinning piti¬ 
fully. Men were falling here, there, everywhere 
along the line. A more thunderous rattle from the 
woods and back to its edge the shattered remains 
of the first two waves were forced. Here they 
stopped, taking shelter behind rocks, tufts of grass, 
trunks of trees, bits of shrub, but they held on. 

“ Come on, men, we must carry that line through 
the woods,” shouted Dick, and across the open 
space the men of the third wave raced, firing as 
they went, their bayonets glistening in the evening 
glow. 

Off to his right Dick saw Doyle, his hat off, his 
red hair flaming like a warning beacon, standing 
in the open and in defiance of the flying storm of 
steel and lead, directing his section—pointing out 
the position of snipers hidden in the tree tops. 
Tommy Turner was nowhere in sight. 

“ Them woods is filled with machine guns and 
Heinies, sir,” sang out Sergeant Peterson as Dick 
reached the shelter of a small gully. 

95 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

“ We must drive them out,” repeated Dick. “ If 
we can’t shoot ’em out, then chase ’em out with the 
bayonet. Come on!” 

“ Hooray, byes! ” came Dorian’s bellowing voice. 
“ This is the koind of foightin’ for us m’rines. Give 
the Heinies the p’int of yer bay’nits! Club ’em 
over the head! Come on, ye’ll never do it sittin’ 
back there in the gallery,” and the old veteran 
plunged ahead. 

“ Me for an orchestra seat,” hoarsely yelled a 
mere boy, whose face was bleeding from a cut of 
which he was wholly unconscious, received at the 
beginning of the advance. 

Mike Dorian’s enthusiasm was contagious. 

“ There’s one of them nests right ahead of us, 
Capt’in.” 

“ Charge it, men! ” 

And followed by Dorian and a half dozen in¬ 
trepid marines Dick scrambled forward, tripping 
over trailing vines, stumbling over hidden rocks; 
breaking through networks of wire and vine he 
sprang up the broken face of embankment, and 
there at the top, with pointed pistol, he stood, 
breathless but threatening, over a dozen Germans 
who, at the sight of these wild, ferocious fighters, 
became appalled and dismayed. Death stared them 
in the face, death which they had been dealing out 
so liberally and chucklingly from behind their com- 
96 


CAPTURE OF BELLEAU WOOD 


paratively safe shelter. Now the tables were 
turned. 

“ Kamerad! Kamerad! ” they cried, and the 
sweat poured down their pulpy, white faces. 

“Make these fellows prisoners! Disarm them! 
Come on, we must take the next one! Here, Brown 
and Horner, turn that gun around and get those 
rats beating it away out there among that thick 
cluster of bushes. See them? There they go! 
Hurry, or they’ll get away! ” 

In a flash the guns were turned and trained on 
the fleeing enemy. 

Now the fighting had become little whirlwind 
centers. It was like unto the days of the old 
Roman wars when each man singled out his op¬ 
ponent and fought him till one or the other lost. 
Here there was no order of things. Men vied with 
one another to rush forward into the hot breaths of 
the German-wielded guns. They dashed intrepidly 
up to the very muzzles and tore them away with 
their bare hands. The blood lust was in them! 
They took few prisoners! It was gruesome! It 
was terrible! It was war! 

Off to the left a higher mound than the others 
continued to belch forth sheets of flame. The gun¬ 
ners were sticking to their posts grimly. Already 
word had passed among their ranks that the Amer¬ 
icans did not take prisoners. They might as well 
97 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK f U. S. M. C. 

fight then to the bitter end. It was death no matter 
what they attempted. 

As Dick’s eyes quickly took in the scene about 
him this one particular spot caught his attention. 
He hardly knew which way to turn. In the melee 
some men had advanced much farther than others. 
It was difficult to tell from whence came the great¬ 
est danger. 

Again his glance swept the rocky ledge and the 
ground directly in front of the spattering machine 
guns. While he looked a man seemed to pull him¬ 
self from out of the very earth by clinging to a 
slender sapling. It was Tommy Turner, his coat 
sleeve ripped from wrist to shoulder; the right arm 
hanging limply at his side, though bandaged, was 
useless. 

As the youngster rose, from a corner of his eye 
Dick caught sight of a man in the trees overhead 
bending low and pointing his rifle at Tommy. For 
a second the face appeared familiar, then realizing 
what was about to happen, Dick gave a warning 
cry, whipped his pistol to the firing position and 
the report of the two weapons was simultaneous. 
He saw the sniper’s body catapult from the tree 
and fall to the earth with a crashing of boughs and 
a sickening thud. 

And now he looked again for Tommy. Evi¬ 
dently the sniper’s bullet, too, had found its mark, 


CAPTURE OF BELLEAU WOOD 


for the boy was writhing about on the ground, tear¬ 
ing at his side with his left hand and even the in¬ 
jured right arm waved futilely about as if to assist. 

Dick waited to see no more; with a roar of anger 
he dashed across the intervening yards to Tommy’s 
aid, and even as he ran he saw the brave young 
officer suddenly rise to his knees and with a loud 
“ Take that, you swine,” he threw his empty Colt’s 
pistol at the head of a German who was peering 
over the parapet to see if this one of the enemy 
had received the coup de grace / Then as Tommy 
was about to sprawl, face downward on the 
ground, strong arms were about him, and in an¬ 
other second Dick was carrying him back to shelter 
as though the lad were but a mere babe in arms, and 
even as Dick was turning away with his burden, 
Reddy Doyle, alone and in the face of the murder¬ 
ous fire, rushed forward and captured single handed 
the gunners who were about to turn their weapons 
on his captain who was bearing off his unconscious 
friend. 

Dick had seen enough of the fight in the woods 
to know that brave as were the marines, they could 
not long stand the losses inflicted on them as they 
essayed their heroic attacks against the entrenched 
German gunners. With each bristling nest taken 

*A shot delivered to insure the death of a condemned person when 
executed by musketry. 


99 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U . 5. M. C. 

there was a fearful toll paid, and to insure ultimate 
success something more was necessary to prevent 
this needless sacrifice of human life. Stokes mor¬ 
tars were needed, and hand grenades must be pro¬ 
vided if the marines ever hoped to win through that 
fearful place with even a remnant of the brigade 
alive. 

Not a bullet had grazed Dick all this time. It 
seemed as though he carried some charm that pro¬ 
tected him from the impending dangers which were, 
nevertheless, just as real to him. He had gone 
about fifty yards when he stumbled into a gully 
where a number of marines were taking momentary 
refuge from the hail of bullets. 

“ Here, some of you, hurry Lieutenant Turner 
back to the first dressing station you can find. His 
life may depend on your quickness,” he shouted, 
and as willing hands reached forward to bear 
Tommy away, he muttered a fervent little prayer 
for the boy’s life, then turning to the rest in the 
group he called for volunteers to take the danger¬ 
ous route across the open fields, carrying back a 
message of the extreme need for the grenades and 
mortars. Nor did he lack for runners to take their 
lives in their hands in this emergency. From the 
dozen who offered, he picked two men whom he 
knew well and sent them off, then with the re¬ 
mainder of the men following him he was again 
ioo 


CAPTURE OF BELLEAU WOOD 


returning to where the fight was still raging, feel¬ 
ing that possibly he should not have left that seeth¬ 
ing turmoil even for the sake of this dearest of 
friends. 

Back at Brigade Headquarters the messages were 
coming from all the different parts of the attacking 
lines. They came by telephone, by wireless, by 
runners on foot, by motorcyclists, by messages 
dropped from allied aeroplanes. Some clear and 
intelligible, some broken and unconnected, some 
absolutely meaningless, but all together making up 
the history of this memorable struggle. 

At one point a section was far in advance of 
those to its right and left and it was necessary to 
retire them in order to safeguard the flanks, which 
were, in military parlance, “ in the air ” or unpro¬ 
tected and open to attack. Now came word that 
the colonel of the Sixth Regiment was dangerously 
wounded by a sniper’s bullet. That Bouresches 
had been taken by a depleted section of one com¬ 
pany. That the Germans held the railroad and 
station on the northeast outskirts of the town. 
That certain parts of the line could not hold out 
longer unless help was sent. That the French said 
the town of Torcy was in the hands of the marines. 
Then, that the report was denied. That the French 
on the left had not taken their designated objec¬ 
tives. Casualties were appalling everywhere. 

IOI 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

Prisoners were being sent back. Wounded men 
straggled by, some carried on stretchers,—wounded 
helping wounded. The artillery was asked to cor- 



Sr^sfe 

Jafcy^ 

1 ?F*W4 


ipsiiSi _u 

pBlSnlJ i 

LfCll^Ug v-V tfE/wy LIRE $ 


IfllS 

\m 

Wfm 

I'gBo is 

N v/Sp- wimk^ sfi ° w r/,E 

V ^S'/M i>iFreR ^ NT 

XjW WQ P§ 2 fjfe TME ADVANCE 
WS*?/ CF V.S.MAK'MS 

/# * 

jkf 

i§p 

#7p 

jttik 

Mflpg 

j/'A/ 

la K>ie du 


^JSiS 

houffisches 

ypm 


'\\v 

dprtfoivA^U 

WrP 

h i k 

^5) 7 5.) 

t:A \ Cl' Vt,/////, * 

PARIS 


%m 

WJ/FIl"’ W&auts 

> 

c/, *to!auThiivy 

<m v J ,<SiMs £&tr 


fTACH SQ(/A/R£ /sg. K/I.OWZTER 


rect their range; it was endangering the lives of our 
own men. Requests came to have certain areas 
shelled, designated by coordinates taken from the 
map in use of the country. The call for hand gre¬ 
nades and Stokes mortars was being answered. A 
French aeroplane had crashed to earth in the 

102 




























CAPTURE OF BELLEAU WOOD 


enemy’s lines. Gas shells were being used. Fire, 
smoke, flash, thunder, clatter, rattle! 

Would the turmoil never cease? 

On through the night came the reports. On 
through the morning of the next day, and the next, 
and the next. Engineers of the army attached to 
the brigade were rushed forward to help straighten 
out the lines and strengthen those objectives al¬ 
ready gained. And in the heart of Belleau Wood 
the marines advanced and halted, fought and swore, 
bled and died. Gaining little by little. Surging to 
the fore. Doing Herculanean tasks. 

Such acts of individual gallantry as were per¬ 
formed under those swaying tree tops, dressed in 
their gallant spring verdure! 

Now came another day, and another. A week; 
—nearly a month passed. 

Fifty batteries of artillery dropped their explo¬ 
sive iron messengers into a last bit of that famous 
wood. All the night long they blazed and roared. 
The forest trees were stripped of their branches. 
The leaves were swept from the twigs. Great 
trunks were torn up by the roots or splintered into 
bundles of giant toothpicks. The ground was torn 
up as with some hitherto unknown Cyclopean 
plough, and then with the first streak of dawn the 
waiting, seemingly tireless marines charged into 
the mass of debris, and from underground hiding- 
103 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

places, from behind rock and rut, drove the last 
Boches from their positions. 

Belleau Wood was captured! 

It was completely in the hands of the United 
States Marines. 

Vaguely the tired, dazed gladiators rubbed their 
eyes. 

“ What day of the month is it, Misther Dick? ” 
asked Mike Dorian, while he scratched, in any but 
an heroic manner, at his scrubby, gray growth of 
beard. 

“ I don’t know, Mike. Haven’t an idea.” 

“ Are we going out, sir? Are we going to be 
relieved? ” queried Sergeant Peterson, his eyes 
staring out from under his shaggy brows, remind¬ 
ing one of two sparks of fire set far back in twin 
caverns of darkness. 

“ Yes, orders just came. We are to be relieved 
at once,” answered Dick, dully. It seemed to him 
as though he would fall asleep and never awake if 
he dared for one moment to permit his own eyes 
to close. 

“ Then all I kin say is, that we had better be 
a-movin’ mighty quick, sir, or there’ll be a foiner 
bunch av Rip Van Winkles lyin’ around this here 
wood than Misther Washin’ton Irvin’ ever seen in 
his whole loife,” announced Dorian. “ Hey, there, 
rookie! ” and he called to a marine whose head was 
104 


CAPTURE OF BELLEAU WOOD 

even then nodding back and forth while the man 
struggled to keep awake. “ I say, me lad, you know 
the dates of all the wars back to that of Cain and 
Abel, what day of the month does this one happen 
to be? ” 

“ June twenty-seventh, Sarge,” answered the 
man, without opening his eyes. 

Twenty-seven days of such fighting as few troops 
in any war has ever withstood! Twenty-seven days 
with no baths, little food, less sleep, and at such a 
fearful cost! Driving back the most famous shock 
troops of the German army. Ending their dream 
of conquering not only Paris but the rest of the 
world, which these sea-soldier, leather-necked ma¬ 
rines of Uncle Sam had made impossible to them 
for all time to come. 

Thanks to le Bon Dieul 


105 


CHAPTER IX 


REDDY WINS A BITTER VICTORY 

The part played by the Marine Brigade in the 
Battle of Belleau Wood “ set the world on fire.” 
For the first time in history, citizens of nearly 
every country on the face of the globe, including 
North America, became eager to learn about this 
hitherto practically unknown branch of the United 
States’ armed forces. From all sides poured in 
congratulatory telegrams and letters, words of 
praise, and every conceivable honor and credit was 
bestowed upon these heroes who were now as mod¬ 
est in their glory as during the past weeks they had 
been forward in their fighting. 

“ Begorra, Misther Dick, the old Corps’s finally 
come to its app’inted place in the sun,” smiled Mike 
Dorian, as he approached his captain about the 
second day of July. 

At this time the company was located in a shel¬ 
tering wood near the Paris-Metz Road not far from 
the town of Lucy le Bocage, enjoying a short res¬ 
pite from the front lines. 

“ Look at this dockyment, sir, and it’ll be makin’ 
yer chest swell to bustin’, I’m thinkin’.” 

106 


A BITTER VICTORY 


Dick took the paper from Dorian’s outstretched 
hand. It was the copy of an order written in 
French with its English translation below, signed 
on the 30th of June by no less a person than Gen¬ 
eral Degoutte, commanding the Sixth French 
Army, in which he ordered that the name of Bois de 
Belleau be changed, and in all official orders from 
that date forward it should be called the “Bois de 
la Brigade de Marine,” because of the brilliant 
conduct of the Fourth Brigade of the Second Di¬ 
vision of the United States Army during those try¬ 
ing days just passed. 

“ I call that pretty fine, Mike, and it shows what 
our sacrifices mean to these people. Where did you 
get this copy? ” 

“ Oh, I was a-strollin’ over to Headquarters and 
havin’ a chin with a couple of me old pals there,” 
replied Dorian, “ and let me tell—the place is filled 
with newspaper corry-spondents and gin’rals and 
telly-grams, and palaverin’. It’d set ye crazy. 
There’s all koinds of talk goin’ around. ’Tis said 
that them Frinchies are goin’ to decorate the regi¬ 
mental colors of the Fifth and Sixth, and also the 
Sixth Machine Gun Battalion, and all the lads 
that fought with the old Fourth Brigade will be 
a-wearin’ of them frog-ger-ries,—or whatever ye 
call them dooflickets what ye see draped over the 
left shoulders of so manny of the ‘ froggies.’ ” 

107 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

“ That’s great news/’ said Dick, “ and of course 
it includes everyone who was fighting with us at 
the time,” and he glanced at Lieutenant Doyle, sit¬ 
ting near by, who was trying not to appear too 
much interested in the conversation. “ I say, 
Doyle, did you hear what First Sergeant Dorian 
says? We’re all to be honored by the French 
Government and will wear the fourragere. The 
regimental colors are to be decorated and-” 

“ And that’s not all the news, Misther Dick,” in¬ 
terrupted Mike. “ ’Tis said the hull kit and ka¬ 
li oo die of us is goin’ up to little oY Paree and pa¬ 
rade over the city on the Fourth of July, and 
there’s to be high doin’s.” 

“ Hooray! ” cried Dick. “ Perhaps we can see 

Tommy Turner and-” but before he finished 

he heard Doyle remarking to Dorian: 

“ We’ll make a pretty sight—parading through 
Paris in our present condition of dirt and destitu¬ 
tion, but if they can stand it, I guess I can,” but 
the speaker looked disparagingly at his torn and 
muddy clothes which for one solid month he, like 
unto the majority of others about him, had been un¬ 
able to change or to wash. 

That most of the first sergeant’s news was true 
was soon borne out by facts, but to the disappoint¬ 
ment of all hands it was found that only a thousand 
marines would take part in the triumphant parade 
108 




A BITTER VICTORY 


on which the French people insisted in order to 
view for their own satisfaction these fighters who 
had saved their beautiful city from the ruthless 
hands of the Germans. 

Thus it happened that here and there along the 
trenches where the fighting still was at fever heat; 
and in the reserve areas where shell still burst with 
disastrous results at times;—from Bouresches, 
through the Bois de la Brigade de Marine to Vaux, 
officers, non-coms and privates finally drew lots to 
see who would take part in the coming memorable 
trip, and tramp before the admiring eyes—yes, 
adoring eyes, of a grateful nation. 

As luck would have it when the officers of Dick’s 
company drew their precious bits of paper, Reddy 
Doyle was fated to remain behind, and although 
Dick, who had won, whole-heartedly offered to al¬ 
low Doyle to go in his stead, his suggestion was in¬ 
stantly and scornfully rejected. 

Ever since that day when the marines had en¬ 
tered on their strenuous task, Doyle had shown 
none of his former sulkiness and Dick had hoped 
that the close intimacy engendered and fostered by 
the dangers and perils borne so bravely by them all 
would continue to the end, but now he saw evidence 
of its recurrence. 

Reddy’s work during the daily fighting had been 
wonderful, and Dick had officially recommended 
109 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 

Doyle to his superior officers on several occasions, 
the most notable being the taking of that machine- 
gun nest single handed the day Tommy was so 
seriously wounded, which act in all probability 
saved both his own and Tommy’s life. 

It had cost Dick a great deal to make his gener¬ 
ous offer, for he was particularly anxious to go to 
Paris, as both his sister and Marie Faure, with 
whom Ursula had journeyed to France as early as 
1913 to study art, were at this time on duty in a 
hospital in the city where Tommy was now a pa¬ 
tient, and to be turned down so cavalierly made 
him feel in any but a kindly mood. 

“ You might be a bit more circumspect in your 
refusal, Doyle,” he had flashed. 

“ Pardon me, Captain Comstock, but when it is 
so plain that you took advantage of your position 
as commanding officer in order to draw that lucky 
slip, you can hardly expect me to believe that your 
offer now is in the least sincere—unless, of course, 
you are 4 playing the grandstand.’ ” 

The insult of Doyle’s words and manner was so 
great that for a moment Dick could scarcely be¬ 
lieve he had heard aright. When Dick made his 
offer the two of them had already strolled away 
from the vicinity of the men and were seated under 
a tree not far from the highway. There was no one 
to overhear their conversation—no one in sight, 
no 



Dick Sprang to His Feet and Glared at Doyle 






































































































« 































































































































































































A BITTER VICTORY 


When the full import of Doyle’s accusation seared 
its way to Dick’s brain, it found the gray matter 
there was as fiery as Doyle’s hair was brilliant red. 
Without a second thought Dick sprang to his feet 
and glared at Doyle. 

“Get up here, you—you—hound!” and the 
words came clipped and dangerously cool. 
“ You’ve gone too far this time. Apologies won’t 
answer. Get up, I tell you! ” 

But Doyle still sat nonchalantly with his back to 
the tree. 

“So at last I’ve gotten under your hide and 
touched you on the raw, have I? ” he slurred. “ It 
hurts, doesn’t it? ” 

By now Dick was boiling. He waited to hear no 
more, but bending over with the swiftness and 
strength of a lion he grabbed his defamer by the 
shirt collar, dragged him to his feet, and then 
lightly as a cat playing with a mouse, he swept his 
open palm across Doyle’s face. 

“ Fight with your fists like a man and not with 
your tongue,” he said, stepping back a few feet, for 
even in his extreme anger the youth’s innate spirit 
of square dealing would not permit him to attack 
his opponent without fair warning. 

“ You bet I’ll fight with my fists,” came the 
reply, accompanied by an oath, and Reddy Doyle, 
knowing Dick of old, advanced rapidly but warily 
hi 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

to the encounter. As he came on, his shock of hair 
seemed to stand up in waves of red bristles, and all 
the accumulated bitterness and hatred of many 
years was in his voice and face and bearing. 

There was a time when Dick Comstock had been 
considered as among the cleverest men with the 
gloves in the whole Atlantic Fleet and he had often 
carried away the honors for the old Corps and his 
former ship, the Denver , while the naval force was 
assembled at its winter headquarters in Guanta¬ 
namo Bay, Cuba; but for the past few years he had 
done little boxing. However, he was never in bet¬ 
ter condition in many ways than on this day when 
his lifelong rival advanced toward him, with fists 
doubled and eyes fixed and determined. Both of 
them had forgotten entirely the greater battle even 
then in progress but a few kilometers away. Both 
had been through many days of horror. Physically 
and mentally weary, their nerves were nearly at the 
breaking point, and no more unfortunate time could 
have been found than this present, when reason and 
common sense were so liable to fly off at tangent 
on the slightest provocation. 

Regarding the question of being equally 
matched, there was probably not a pound’s differ¬ 
ence as to weight, and what Doyle lacked in height, 
was more than compensated for by his excessive 
arm reach, and too, Doyle had done more work in 
112 


A BITTER VICTORY 


the “ squared circle ” of late years than had Dick. 
He was hailed as the champion heavy-weight of a 
well-known Athletic Club of New York City, in 
which metropolis he was engaged in business when 
war was declared. 

Once before Reddy had fought a fistic battle with 
Dick—on the day of their graduation from Bank- 
ley High School, and he had been signally defeated 
on that occasion, although his opponent had by no 
means escaped unscathed and without a hard tussle. 
Now, however, Reddy felt confident of victory and 
advanced willingly to the encounter. 

Crouching low he launched his attack swiftly, 
hoping by his sudden spring to beat down imme¬ 
diately Dick’s guard and gain a speedy decision. 
But such was not to be, for Dick, expert in foot¬ 
work, side stepped the rush easily, escaped Doyle’s 
swinging blows and then stepping in at exactly the 
right moment had driven his left fist into the 
freckled, malignant face and barely missed land¬ 
ing another telling blow with his right. 

The jar of that blow cleared Doyle’s brain, and 
he settled down to his work. In another minute he 
found that Dick knew much more about the art of 
boxing than he had ever gained during his high 
school days, and do as Doyle would he found it im¬ 
possible to place a telling blow on Dick’s face. 
There were no rounds in this fight. The seconds 
113 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , V . M. C. 

and minutes flew by, perspiration streamed from 
the fighters’ faces, while their breathing was becom¬ 
ing more and more labored. 

With each passing moment Dick was realizing 
to what straits his hasty action had brought them. 
He realized, too late, that he should have curbed 
his temper, hard as it would have been to do so, and 
also he knew that even now he should stop fighting; 
that his action was the more reprehensible,—he was 
the superior officer. Yet the two fighters continued 
to circle about each other, looking for some favor¬ 
able opening. They watched each the other warily, 
but what they did not see was the stealthy gather¬ 
ing of the men of the company, forming a wide 
ring about them, yet always managing to keep be¬ 
hind tree or bush and out of plain view. These un¬ 
bidden spectators talked in low undertones and 
with each quick blow, each clever block or counter, 
each lightning punch or swing or supper cut, their 
eyes glistened in silent admiration of this unex¬ 
pected and really wonderful exhibition of the manly 
art. 

Suddenly with clever generalship, Doyle shifted 
his tactics and began raining heavy blows on Dick’s 
body, hoping to “ get his wind ” as the saying is, 
and Dick, who was now becoming more and more 
disgusted with himself at being embroiled in such 
an affair, suffered for his preoccupation. 

114 


A BITTER VICTORY 


“ Somebody ought to call time on ’em,” sug¬ 
gested one of the spectators. 

“ They’ll be killing themselves if they keep up 
that pace,” muttered another. “ They must o’ been 
goin’ to it for more’n fifteen minutes now.” 

“ Wonder what they’re fighting about, any¬ 
how? ” 

“ Dunno, but I do know they ain’t been the best 
of friends, ever.” 

“ Oh, you mean that school-kid stuff some of the 
fellers was talking about? ” 

“ Yes—Golly, did you see that set-to? If the 
Old Man had been a bit quicker he’d ’a’ finished 
that Red-Head.” 

“ P’raps; but say, bo, the Old Man can take 
punishment, anyhow! Did you see Doyle get in 
them two jolts just above the belt? He’ll be get¬ 
ting the Captain’s wind in a minute if he lands 
many more like that—and, bjr Jiminy-crickets,— 
the Captain’s down! Doyle fetched him one plumb 
on the point of the jaw.” 

The blow that knocked Dick out laid him flat 
on his back and for several seconds he lost con¬ 
sciousness, while over him stood Doyle, his knees 
shaking weakly, but the light of triumph strong in 
his eyes. 

“ I beat you—fair and square—at last—Dick 
Comstock,” he gasped, as his bloodshot eyes looked 
“5 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C . 

down on the unconscious man. “ It—pays—for 
all this—for all these years—that you’ve held the 
upper hand.” 

“ Come on, let’s beat it, while our shoes are 
good,” whispered the awed and silent audience, and 
they went as they had come—stealthily and unob¬ 
served. 

Now Reddy’s shaking, trembling hands felt ten¬ 
derly of his swollen face, where several bruises and 
small cuts gave evidence of blows received. Then 
he staggered a little and sat down heavily near his 
fallen opponent. 

Again he glanced at his old schoolmate, and as 
He looked a change came over him—sudden—un¬ 
accountable. From somewhere a new train of 
thought sprang into birth in his weary brain, and 
he mumbled his thoughts, half aloud—disjointed— 
disconnected: 

“ Why can’t I like Dick? He’s always been pop¬ 
ular—always had the best fellows backing him.— 
He’s no coward.—He knows how to fight. He’s a 
better and squarer fighter than I am.—I wonder if 
I haven’t always been just plain jealous.” 

Dick’s eyes were slowly opening. “ Are you all 
right? ” questioned Doyle, looking at Dick with a 
new interest, a new feeling born of the past fight 
and the present moment. “Are you all right, 
Dick? ” 

116 


A BITTER VICTORY 

With a supreme effort Dick managed to sit up* 
His head seemed like a top, it was still spinning 
around so fast. Finally he spoke. 

“ I’ll see what I can do to effect your immediate 
transfer. Lieutenant Doyle,” was his irrelevant an¬ 
swer, and with that Reddy arose and made his way 
toward the camp. There had been a quality in 
Dick’s voice which told him plainly than any solici¬ 
tation on his part was decidedly obnoxious, and 
that furthermore there was nothing to be said which 
could undo the words already spoken. 

Arriving at his billet he made such repairs to 
his face as the means at hand permitted, for noth¬ 
ing but time could efface the effects of those blows 
he had received. He remembered now that the 
only blow he had succeeded in placing on Dick’s 
face was that final one which had laid him out. 
Somehow he was glad of it. Somehow he would 
have been sorry to see Dick appearing before his 
men with his face all battered up by his, Doyle’s, 
heavy fist. 

“ I look like the one licked,” he said grimly, “ and 
the worst of it is I feel like it, too—in here,” and 
he struck his sore chest with his clenched and ach¬ 
ing knuckles. 

“ Orders for ye, sir! ” 

It was the voice of First Sergeant Dorian out¬ 
side the little shelter which for the moment Doyle 
ll 7 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK f V. S. M. C. 

called “ home.” He reached out to get the paper 
and saw Dorian’s curious eyes taking in his con¬ 
dition, hut he offered no explanation. “ I can’t 
find the Capt’in, sir, and wurrd has come that 
there’s a motorcycle a-waitin’ for ye to go at once,” 
added Dorian. 

“ I’ll he ready in a minute,” said Doyle, “ and 
—or—er—wait a second, Dorian, I want to shake 
hands with you and wish you, your captain, your 
company, and your corps the best luck in the world. 
And thanks for all the help you’ve given me—you 
don’t know how much, Dorian. Good-bye, or bet¬ 
ter yet, au revoir, old chap,” and then he read the 
telegram in his hand. 

“ Detached from further service with U. S. Ma¬ 
rine Corps. Report immediately to your former 
regiment.” 

“ I guess Dick must have been a mind reader or 
something like that,” he said aloud, as he began 
packing his few belongings; “ at any rate, now that 
I’m detached, darned if I don’t just hate to go. 
That’s always the way, so it seems to me: you long 
for a thing to beat the band, and then finally when 
you get it you no more want it than a dog wants 
fleas.” 

Another five minutes and Reddy Doyle had 
made his adieus to such men in the company as 
came to the road to see him start off, and was chug- 
118 


A BITTER VICTORY 


chugging away to another part of the battle line. 
He did not see Dick before leaving, but heard that 
Dick had been called to Brigade Headquarters so, 
just as Reddy climbed into the side car, seeing 
Dorian standing to one side of the road, he called 
him over and said: 

“ Mike, tell Captain Comstock for me that I 
thank him for all he has taught me and his many 
kindnesses, will you, and say also that I am sorry 
to leave the outfit, and-but a strange some¬ 

thing came up in Doyle’s throat just then, some¬ 
thing he had never known of before, and with a nod 
to the driver of the vehicle, he gave the signal for 
the starting. For the life of him he could not have 
said another word. 

The little group of men gave three hearty cheers, 
for they were really regretful at his departure; they 
all knew his sterling worth as a fighter both on the 
line as well as behind it. 

Twenty hours later, Reddy unpacked his kit and 
was engaged in putting his belongings in order; he 
missed a little packet of letters which he had re¬ 
ceived while serving with the marines—letters from 
his home town and filled with the intimate bits of 
news which former associates had sent him believ¬ 
ing they might prove of interest, but search as he 
would the compact, little bundle was not to be 
found. 

119 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

“I wonder what’s become of it?” he thought, 
seowlingly. “ I don’t suppose it can do as much 
harm as I’ve done with this long tongue of mine. 
I always did talk too much for my own or anyone 
else’s good. I see it now and I’d give a lot to recall 
some of the things I’ve said.” 

He paused for a while, lost in deep and unpleas¬ 
ant thoughts, then he burst out angrily: 

“ Gee whizz! Why in thunder couldn’t I have 
licked Dick to a frazzle years ago—it would have 
made a better man of me all the way through.” 


120 


CHAPTER X 


THE FOURTH OF JULY 

“ I say, Marie, did you ever hear of such bum 
luck in all your life? ” and Tommy Turner, well on 
the road to recovery, gazed indignantly from his 
reclining position in a wheeled chair up into the 
blue eyes of the black-haired little nurse who was 
trundling him along a wide corridor toward the ele¬ 
vator which would carry them to the first floor of 
the hospital. They were on their way out into the 
wonderful sunshine of that July day, honored and 
revered by all true Americans, no matter what their 
environment—The Glorious Fourth. 

“ What is the trouble, Tommy? Anything gone 
especially wrong to-day? Did you happen to get 
powdered sugar on your eggs this morning instead 
of salt? If so your disposition should be by that 
much the sweeter,” answered Marie Faure, cleverly 
guiding the chair through the elevator door. 

“Wrong?—Of course something’s gone wrong! 
Here it is the Fourth of July, and in ten minutes 
a thousand marines will be parading past us while 
all the world and his brother turn out to give them 
the glad hand, and back up there,” he nodded 
121 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

vaguely in a direction which might have been to¬ 
ward Fijiland, for all he cared, “ back up there a 
couple of thousand more of ’em are still scrapping 
away for dear life—and what of me, I’d like to 
know? ” 

“ Well,—what of you? Aren’t you getting well 
much faster than the surgeons thought possible, 
and in a few more weeks, perhaps, you may be con¬ 
valesced back home, to the dear old States. I 
should say that you are pretty hard to satisfy.” 

“ Oh, of course you would, but you’re a girl. 
Why—hang it all!—do you think I enjoy lying 
around this repair factory like a broken doll with 
a leg and arm busted, when I might just as well as 
not be following that band of ours under the Arc 
de Triomphe, or peppering hot lead into the Hein- 
ies. Why in thunder do I always get knocked 
down and out when there’s really something big 
going on? It makes me tired! I no sooner get 
started scrapping those poor dubs when along 
comes some kind of a fool shell, or a bullet, or a 
piece of mud, which bowls me over as though I 
were a round-bottomed tenpin. Look at that 
lucky dog, Dick Comstock, for instance-” 

“Yes, and what of Dick? ” but the slow words 
belied the interest which sparkled in the blue eyes 
at the mention of the name, and a dancing dimple 
flashed in either cheek for the fraction of a second. 


122 



THE FOURTH OF JULY 

“ Why, he never gets hurt! He’s got the hind 
foot of a graveyard rabbit or—or something, 
stowed away in his jeans, let me tell! And now, 
darn it all, Ursula says he’s going to get a Croix 
de Guerre for pulling me—pulling me, mind you, 
out of that infernal wood, and-” 

“ But Tommy, don’t you want Dick to get a 
Croix de Guerre? He probably saved your life, 
you know,” and the little nurse’s eyes opened very 
wide, and possibly for a single second they might 
have glared at the invalid. 

“ Of course I want him to get it, but don’t you 
see all the fun I used to have crowing over him be¬ 
cause I had one of those gadgets myself, which I 
got for that no-account stunt I did down Verdun 
way, is all ended now? That was the only ribbon 
I had, and though Dick’s got oodles of ’em, he 
didn’t have one like mine. Now the party’s all off! 
I don’t see why they couldn’t have given him a 
D. S. C. and let me still be happy for a while. 
Huh! someone’s always taking the joy out of life! ” 
and the youngster gave a kick with his good leg at 
the blanket tucked about him, as if he really meant 
all he said. 

“ Ah! I see now what you mean,” and the smile 
was back again; “ but Tommy, Ursula told me this 
morning that he is going to get the Distinguished 
Service Cross too—that some high-up army officer 
123 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK\ U. S. M. C. 

told her so, last evening. Dick doesn’t know of it 
though, and she is not to tell him.” 

“ Is that so? ” 

In his excitement over the good news, Tommy 
almost sat straight up in his chair, which thought¬ 
less act caused a spasm of pain to cross his mobile 
features and left a black scowl behind. Nurse 
Marie was manoeuvring a difficult turn at the time 
so failed to notice the start, having her eyes fixed 
on the swinging door which she held open with one 
foot, but when she finally saw the look on her pa¬ 
tient’s face she really did misinterpret the cause, 
and to Tommy’s amazement, instead of sympathiz¬ 
ing with him, the blue eyes grew very dark and he 
found that they could flash as angrily as any eyes 
he ever saw. She stopped the progress of the chair 
and stared at the youth for a full minute, while the 
door knocked unheeded against one of the wheels, 
then in a scornful, bitter tone, she said: 

“ If that is the way you feel, Lieutenant Turner, 
I believe I will ask your regular nurse to look out 
for you for the rest of the day.” 

“ Now, what in the world’s the matter with 
you?” exclaimed the stunned Tommy. “Gosh! 
When I give my fool side a wrench like that haven’t 
I any rights at all? Can’t I even scowl, instead of 
crying as I’ve a perfect mind to do? ” 

“ Oh, forgive me, Tommy,” and Marie was all 
124 


THE FOURTH OF JULY 


solicitations once more. “ I did not know—you see 
—I thought—why-” 

44 You thought I was angry because Dick was go¬ 
ing to get the D. S. C., eh? Well, you ought to 
know by this time, Marie Faure, that according to 
my way of thinking, there’s nothing on this little 
old globe that’s too good for him, and, as for you, 
—well, I’m going to recite something to you which 
a famous English statesman is quoted as having 
said. It’s a bit of mixed metaphor, but I guess 
you’ll get me. It goes like this: 4 Mr. Speaker, I 
smell a rat, I see him brewing in the air: but, mark 
me, I shall yet nip him in the bud; ’ now, Miss, I’ll 
not do any nipping 4 in the bud ’ business, but if 
you aren’t pertickler nice to me from this day 
furr’d, I’ll 4 be for tellin’ on ye to Misther Dick,’ 
as our mutual friend, Mike Dorian, might say.” 

44 I’m truly sorry you hurt your side, Tommy,” 
and out into the sunshine went the wheeled chair, 
an invalid marine and a blushing nurse. 

Not far from the hospital a spot had been re¬ 
served from which such patients as were able might 
view the passing of the 44 Saviours of Paris,” and 
soon Tommy and Marie were in positions of van¬ 
tage where they were joined in a short time by 
Ursula Comstock who happened to be off duty at 
this enviable hour. With each passing moment the 
vacant spaces were rapidly filling, and then from 
125 




CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S.M. C. 

far up the beautiful avenue came the sound of mar¬ 
tial music, the tramp of marching feet. 

“ They are here! ” 

“Where? Oh, yes, I can see them. How the 
bayonets flash! ” 

“ Here they come! Hurrah! ” 

“ Vive V Infanterie de la Marine! Vive les 
Etats-Unis! Vive VAmerique! ” 

The murmur became a roar. The roar became a 
thunderous sound as of mighty waves sweeping 
into great caverns of the sea, there to dash in re¬ 
verberating grandeur against hollow, drum-like 
walls. 

And then, following close behind this barrage of 
human voices, they came—swinging to the rhythm 
of the strains of the marines’ own march—that 
famous composition of John Philip Sousa’s— 
“ Semper Fidelis.” 

Tommy Turner’s face glowed with unstifled 
pride. His heart seemed to swell to the bursting 
point, nor could he ever understand why it did not 
“ bust.” With one especially good left hand and a 
steadily-growing-stronger right, he gripped the 
covering blanket with all his might—to keep back 
the tears. He did not know why he wanted to cry, 
but he just did, and for some unknown reason he 
longed to feel his mother’s arms around him—just 
for a minute or two. 


126 


THE FOURTH OF JULY 


Ah! was there ever anything as beautiful as this 
sight? Was there ever a Triumph of the Roman 
Emperors so wonderful as this tribute from a 
thankful nation to those comrades out there? 

On they came, those thousand leather-necks, 
looking neither to the right nor left, and now Ur¬ 
sula’s throat seemed suddenly to choke, and the 
tears—happy, grateful tears, welling unbidden to 
her eyes, dimmed yet magnified those strong, 
straight-backed, stalwart, fearless men. Was not 
her brother also one of these? 

Rank after rank, file behind file, was passing 
them. From every side flowers rained along their 
pathway, flung by thousands of childish hands, 
making a variegated rug beneath their feet which 
rivaled in design and color the most famous Bok¬ 
hara or Persian; and as she gazed eagerly at each 
officer marching along with battalion, or company, 
or platoon, Marie Faure wondered if he would be 
there. The girl’s face had paled to whiteness, and 
in her graceful throat the telltale pulsing of her 
heart’s metronome quickened with each successive 
disappointment. Why, surely Dick must be there 
—they could not leave him behind—the Triumph 
would not be complete without—Yes—There he 
marched- 

“Dick! Dick! Hurrah for the marines!” and 
her rich voice rang out over the sea of seething life 
127 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, V. S. M. C. 

before her. And now Tommy and Ursula had 
spied him! 

“Dick! Dick Comstock! Hooray! Hooray 
for Dick Comstock! ” 

The people near them took up the cry, with a 
great rolling of r’s and lengthening of the vowels. 

“ Hoo-r-r-r-a-ay for Deek Coomstook! Hoo- 
r-r-r-a-ay ! ” 

Then Dick heard it. What could it mean? Why 
should he be singled out in this Parisian throng? 
Why should his name be called aloud by the 
crowds? He glanced at the lines of men behind 
him. His eyes swept the multitude of faces along 
the sidewalks, and then, forgetful of years of mili¬ 
tary training, he waved frantically toward the fas¬ 
cinating little group which caught his eye, and go¬ 
ing as near as he dared without leaving the ranks 
he called aloud to them, but his voice was lost in 
the clamor. At last these gloating onlookers knew 
one of their heroes by name, and Dick’s voice was 
drowned beneath their cheers. 

“Halt! Rest!” 

The marching columns halted in their tracks as 
the words came down from the head of the leading 
element; and then it was that Dame Fortune 
played to the gallery. In another minute Ursula 
was in her brother’s arms, crying and laughing in a 
breath, and Tommy Turner was shaking him by 
128 


THE FOURTH OF JULY 


the one hand; Marie by the other. The fever was 
catching, for that ebullient crowd needed but a cue 
as to their next means of expressing their un¬ 
bounded appreciation. There was a rush of skirts 
—a flying of high-heeled shoes across the pave¬ 
ments,—a flinging of arms, and the veterans of the 
Wood of Beautiful Water were being soundly and 
properly kissed whether they would or no. 

For some, the command to march came all too 
soon; for some—a very bashful minority—it came 
too late. 

“Fall in! Fall in! Come on there, stop that 
kissin’.” 

“ Here, fellers, save me! ” 

“ Hey, someone tell this girl in French to beat 
it! ” 

“ Fall in, there! Eyes to the front! ” 

“ Au revoir. I’ll be back at the hospital as soon 
as we are dismissed,” called Dick. 

A bugle blared! 

“ Forward march! ” 

Martial music from far ahead. Again the tramp 
and tread of the marching feet! again the rhythmic 
swing of the marching men, the glinting flash of a 
thousand bayonets. 

“ Vive les Marines! Vive Deek Coomstook! 

Vive! " 

Soon after, Marie and Ursula, having waited till 
129 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S . M. C. 

the last man had passed, together hurried their 
invalid back to the quiet hospital, chattering like 
magpies as they joyously made their way, and later 
when they had greeted Dick and escorted him to 
Tommy’s bedside, they left the two friends for a 
little while. 

“ There’s all kinds of news,” said Dick, in answer 
to Tommy’s questioning, “ but you must stop this 
useless worrying, Tommy,” and he put a quiet hand 
on the other’s shoulder. “You see, it will merely 
retard your recovery; that’s all there is to it. If 
you wish to serve the corps best you can do it only 
by getting well.” 

“ But Dick, how in the world do y’ expect I 
can keep still with all this excitement going on. 
You say we’re on our way to Berlin, and then 
think I can lie here like a pussy-cat and purr 
peacefully, knowing all the time that I’m losing 
out.” 

“ Yes, but if you want to get to Berlin with the 
rest of us, old dear, it’s up to you to get well first. 
You must know we don’t expect to get up there to¬ 
morrow, nor for some weeks of ‘ to-morrows,’ so if 
you put as much energy into the ‘ road to recovery ’ 
business as you do in most things Tl\ bet you’ll be 
in that parade down the main street of the village 
with the best of us.” 

“ I’ll try, Dickie, but it’s going to be ‘ sumpin’ 
130 


THE FOURTH OF JULY 

turribul.’ Now tell me all about the brigade, and 
is it true that Harbord is to be promoted, and that 
General Lejeune of 4 ours ’ is on his way to France 
and going to command us? I’ve heard all these 
rumors, but I want some facts.” 

44 Well, your rumors are all facts, Tommy, and 
I guess you get all the dope down here before we 
get it up there, and furthermore, it’s probably a lot 
more reliable.” 

44 Didn’t I tell you that we marines would make 
our brigade commander a Major-General? Didn’t 
I? Didn’t we?” 

44 You—we did,” laughed Dick, 44 and the 4 Old 
Man ’ deserves it, too.” 

44 Of course he does, and I’m mighty glad of it, 
and now we must do the same thing for our own 
man. When do they expect him? ” 

44 Don’t know; but there is another rumor that 
Harbord will keep command of the Second Divi¬ 
sion, so he’ll still be with us. Now, to drop from 
generals to lesser lights; you may be interested to 
know that Reddy Doyle has rejoined his regiment. 
Went a couple of days ago.” 

44 Never heard such good news in all my life, 
Dick. He has always rubbed me the wrong way, 
and I’ve heard, too, that he started a lot of mean 
stories about you in the company. I guess he must 
have started them because no one but he would 

131 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK 9 U. S. M. C. 

know about some of the tales he flirted around so 
freely.” 

“ Forget them. Tommy, and remember what he 
did to those Huns in that machine-gun nest, for if 
he hadn’t, neither one of us might be talking here 
right now.” 

“ I didn’t know about that. Tell me.” And 
Tommy listened with interest to Dick’s recital. 

“ You say that you have recommended him for a 
D. S. C.?” 

“ Yes,” answered Dick, “ and the French are go¬ 
ing to give him a Croix de Guerre for some one of his 
other brave stunts during the past month of scrap¬ 
ping. Really, Tommy, you’ve no idea what a man 
he is when he forgets Percy Doyle for a while.” 

“ Incidentally there’s a chap in this pleasure 
palace who says his name is Doyle, or at least he 
did say so when he was going under anaesthetic for 
an operation, but since then he’s said so durned lit¬ 
tle that they are beginning to think his brain has 
gone wrong. He claims to have been mixed up in 
the fighting with our company that first night and 
says, too, that he was a runner for Reddy.” 

“ Yes, I know him—that is, I saw him that night, 
but I never would be able to recognize him; it was 
too dark.” 

“ But there was no one in our company named 
Doyle except Reddy.” 


132 


THE FOURTH OF JULY 


“ No, he didn’t belong to us. A straggler from 
the Q. M. D., so Doyle told me-” 

“A marine from our Q. M. D.?” questioned 
Tommy. 

“ Why, of course.” 

“ He doesn’t tell the same story twice then, for 
he now says he’s from some army bunch but cannot 
remember which. Marie and Ursula both know 
the fellow, and they say that there is something 
suspicious about him—at least the surgeons here 
seem to be rather interested in his case, and it’s not 
because of any surgical interest either. He claims 
he’s still very ill, but as a matter of fact he’s as 
right as a trivet, if you happen to know what that 
is. The girls say he is malingering.” 

Marie and Ursula returning at this moment 
changed, for the time being, the trend of the con¬ 
versation. 

“ Now, Marie,” began Tommy, a mischievous 
twinkle in his eyes, “ I believe I’ll tell Dick about 
the conversation we had a bit ago regarding 
rats-” 

“ Time to take your temperature, Lieutenant 
Turner,” said Marie, placing a slim glass tube be¬ 
neath the squirming Tommy’s tongue, and holding 
his wrist with professional severity. “ No—no 
talking—and please don’t bite that thermometer in 

two. You might swallow the mercury and-” 

i33 





CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

“ I—don’t—have—to-” began Tommy,; 

mumbling badly as the tube rattled around in his 
mouth. 

“You do have to or else I’ll ask your visitor to 
leave. You’ve had enough excitement for one day, 
anyhow, and your pulse is dangerously high,” re¬ 
sponded the girl, turning her head slightly to wink 
roguishly at Ursula, then casting a quick side 
glance at Dick she found his eyes fixed on her in¬ 
quiringly. 

“ What about the rats, Marie? ” he asked. 

“ Oh, nothing! Some foolishness on the part of 
my patient. An aftermath of war, I’m afraid. He 
appears still to retain the odor of a certain variety 
of rodent in his nostrils. Possibly one of his trench 
pets. An alarming symptom in a way. Besides 
he’s talked too much to-day as it is,” at which re¬ 
mark Tommy shook his head in violent negation 
while his lips pressed tightly on the tube. 

“ What are the people doing for the men, Dick? 
And how in the world does it happen that you could 
find a thousand men so clean and dressed up after 
all you have been through? ” now inquired Ursula. 

“To answer the last question first, I’ll tell you 
that yesterday when we all assembled at the ren¬ 
dezvous back of the lines we found the Quarter¬ 
master there with truck loads of clothing and he 
fitted out everyone. It didn’t much matter what 
i34 



THE FOURTH OF JULY 

size one asked for, one merely! took the clothes 
handed over and trusted in luck and the guesswork 
of the Q. M. that they’d fit. I tell you there was 
some high finance in swapping about in order to get 
anywhere near right. And, Tommy,” said Dick, 
turning toward the invalid, “ there was a river near 
by and you should have seen the rush made to get 
into that stream. I don’t believe a thousand men 
ever got undressed quicker in the history of the 
world. Why, there were clothes flying in all direc¬ 
tions,—that is some persons might have dignified 
them by that name. I don’t believe I ever really 
enjoyed a swim and a scrub before in my whole 
life as I did that one. Think of it—really im¬ 
mersed up to one’s neck in real, honest-to-goodness, 
clean water! ” 

Tommy rolled his eyes expressively. 

“ As to what the men are doing now,” continued 
Dick, “ I can’t tell you, but I do know that for 
once in their lives, Marines can’t spend a cent of 
their own money in France—or at least in Paris. 
Everything they desire is being handed them to¬ 
day on a silver platter. To-night there’s to be a 
big banquet for the whole lot of them, and as one 
of the men said: ‘ There’s goin’ to be a Paris peach 
on either side of every man, ’n’ music, ’n’ dancin’, 
’n’ everything.’ ” 

“ Tommy tells me that Reddy Doyle has been 
i35 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. 8 . M. C. 

attached to your company, Dick, for the past 
month,” said Ursula. “ I do hope you got along 
all right with him.” 

“ Well—as right as might be expected, Sis, but 
you know Doyle, and-” 

“ I hope you didn’t have any more fights, Dick,” 
and Ursula smiled in recollection of a clay many 
years ago when she had repaired the badly bruised 
eye of her brother. 

“ We’re too old for that,” answered Dick, non¬ 
committally. 

“ But you did fight, Dick,” spoke up Marie. 

44 What makes you believe that? ” queried Dick. 

44 Oh, I saw it in your eyes,” she answered, busily 
wiping off the thermometer with a bit of alcohol- 
dipped gauze. 

44 I’ll bet you licked him to a fare-you-well,” 
gloated Tommy, his tongue at last released. 

“ And I’ll bet you I didn’t, and I’m glad I didn’t, 
too,” came Dick’s surprising reply; but Marie, now 
sorry to have her particular hero forced tb acknowl¬ 
edge defeat and all because of her thoughtless re¬ 
marks, hastened to change the subject. 

44 There’s a man in the next ward whose name 
is Doyle,” she said. 44 He says he fought in your 
company, Dick, and with Lieutenant Doyle that 
first night at Belleau Wood, and also the next day 
in the woods itself.” 

i3b 



THE FOURTH OF JULY 


“ You mean to say he was in the next ward, 
Marie,” spoke Ursula. “ Perhaps you didn’t know 
it, but he has been under suspicion for some time 
and this morning he was found missing. The head 
nurse told me a few minutes ago that he is thought 
to be a German and got in here—picked up with 
our wounded, by mistake. He had on part of a 
marine and an army uniform. Anyway, he’s not to 
be found and the authorities have been notified.” 

“ I wonder why Reddy was protecting that fel¬ 
low? ” thought Dick to himself, and for the rest of 
the day and evening that same question was ever 
recurring. 

A day later found the thousand heroes back in 
their places along the battle front, and the prepa¬ 
rations for the Ainse-Marne offensive were occu¬ 
pying the minds of the United States troops and 
their allies. 


i37 


CHAPTER XI 


dick’s STRANGE ADVENTURE IN BELGIUM 

Slush; slush! Slop; slop! 

The lines of men plodding wearily along through 
the forests north of Villers-Cotterets, slid and 
slipped, stumbled and fumbled in the wet, sticky 
clay of many roads leading toward the east. Over¬ 
head gray, heavy-laden rain-clouds prevented the 
German air squadrons from seeing the gathering 
of the great armies which were concentrating by 
means of forced night marches, and which were 
destined finally to start the enemy on his retreat 
to Berlin. 

“ Whew,” said Sergeant Peterson, trudging 
stolidly along in the wake of Old Mike Dorian, 
“ it’s a lucky thing they gave us orders to drop the 
long pack 1 back there a ways or this downpour 
would have made ’em heavier ’n lead by now.” 

“ Um-m-m-ph! ” grunted Mike, as he adjusted 
his helmet at another angle in the hope that the rain 
might find a less uncomfortable place to stream 
down his back. 

1 The packs carried by the men were easily arranged to detach the 
lower and heavier part when necessary. 

138 


DICK’S STRANGE ADVENTURE 

But Peterson was feeling lonely and he wanted 
to converse with someone, so he continued: 

“ Why in the name of Old Glory don’t the pow¬ 
ers that be pick out a road upon which we can really 
march? I’m tired of skidding along on my ear in 
this infernal ditch while the artillery and the tanks 
have the right of way all the time. What they need 
in this congestion is a Broadway traffic cop to 
straighten things out and give everybody a chance 
at the good going.” 

“ Um-m-m-ph! ” 

“ Marching single file may have been all right 
for the old-time American Indian, but it’s all wrong 
when it comes to the modern product, and I’m 
blessed if I don’t believe this is the first time in 
history they ever marched divisions of infantry 
in single file to reach the front or wherever it is 
we’re going. Why, we must be strung out for 
a thousand miles! If the head of this column 
ever reaches camp the tail of it won’t be able to 
get up until the millennium. For once I’ve had 
enough marching, both as to length and to time 
occupied.” 

“ I reckon we’ve had about enough of everything 
’cept food,” spoke up a man in rear, “ and goodness 
knows we’ve had little enough of that. Besides 
being tired to death, I’m starved to death.” 

“ Go to it, me lads,” burst forth Old Mike with a 
i39 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

chuckle. “ The more ye growls the better ye’ll 
foight.” 

“ So you’re awake, are you, Mike? I began to 
believe you’d gone to sleep—all except your legs. 
It’s not so dark but that I can see they’re moving, 
that and the fact that I haven’t bumped into you.” 

“ I’m awake, never fear about that, me lad. And 
as for bumpin’ into me—well, I’ve yet to see anny 
spalpeen in the comp’ny that kin put it over me 
in spite of me age and ailments. I was merely 
a-thinkin’ about what we’ve got ahead of us and the 
task we fellers has got to do. You see, old Gin’ral 
Foch is goin’ back to first principles in this here 
attack what’s to be starrted in the mornin’. It’s 
what I’ve said should ’a’ been done all along,—but 
then I’m no gin’ral! ” 

“ Ye-a, and what is that? ” 

“ In the first place—Moind yer eye in rear ! 
Here’s a whoppin’ big hole in the middle of the 
ditch. Pass the wurrd behind ye. Now as I was 
sayin’, in the first place the Frinchies is gettin’ the 
proper idea regarrdin’ us American foighters, and 
the gin’ral got the loan of us two divisions, the Sec¬ 
ond and the First, from Gin’ral Pershing, and he 
brought along that First Moroccan Division from 
his own arrmy for this special stunt he’s goin’ to pull 
off, and in the second place he’s arranged so there 
ain’t goin’ to be no preliminary barraage to give ’em 
140 


DICK’S STRANGE ADVENTURE 


anny warnin’, but when it comes toime to * jump- 
off ’—out w r e go with a rollin’ barraage keepin’ a 
hundred meters ahead of us, and them Heinies is 
goin’ to be taken by surprise, or I miss me reck¬ 
onin’.” 

“ That’s the best dope I’ve heard yet,” responded 
Peterson, “ and everything is working in our favor 
all right. This heavy forest of beeches conceals 
our movements—why, you could hide a hundred 
armies in it—and their airmen haven’t a chance in 
the world to spot us through those low-lying, rain- 
soaked clouds overhead. Now that I know the 
reason for it all, why to thunder, I say, with the 
difficulties encountered in getting to the jumping- 
off place.” 

“ Yes, that’s gin’rally the way with human na¬ 
ture as a rule,” said Mike. “ I’m a great believer 
in lettin’ men know the reason for things, and it 
does away with a lot of growlin’; but on the other 
hand, as I said before, a moderate amount of growls 
gin’rally gets ’em in good foightin’ trim, and some- 
toimes it needs a Napoleon to discrimmynaate as 
to the best dope to hand out.” 

And tired, dirty, muddy, though those two di¬ 
visions of Uncle Sam’s troops—of which the 
Fourth Brigade of Marines was a vital factor—and 
the famous Moroccan division of the French were, 
they did the task assigned to them. The attack was 
141 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

a complete surprise. The advance was victorious 
throughout, and in their “ game-bag,” so to speak, 
at the end of the battle were 3,000 prisoners, sixty- 
six pieces of heavy ordnance, 100 machine guns, 
numbers of minnewerfers, and tons of supplies and 
ammunition. 

Captain Dick Comstock’s company played a 
prominent part in the general plan, but Dick found 
himself wishing many times for his friend Tommy 
and he was surprised to discover how much he 
missed the familiar figure and flaming hair of 
Reddy Doyle. New officers had reported to him 
to replace the existing vacancies and as each day of 
battle meant the loss of more men to his company, 
he found it quite difficult to keep up with the con¬ 
stantly arriving replacements. He hardly knew 
one-sixth of his company now. 

Soon after this battle of July 18-19, Brigadier- 
General John A. Lejeune, of the United States 
Marine Corps, assumed command of the brigade, 
only to find a few days later that he had been pro¬ 
moted to Major-General and in turn he replaced 
Harbord in command of the Second Division, 
whereupon Colonel Wendell C. Neville, also of the 
Marines, promoted to Brigadier, had the honor of 
leading the sea-soldiers through their subsequent 
victories. 

That they were victories was undisputed, for 
142 


DICK'S STRANGE ADVENTURE 


from now on the German war lords knew that the 
flood tide of their supremacy in military prowess, 
power and prestige had passed, the tide was on the 
ebb, and each passing day brought proof of that 
fact home to them with bitter poignancy. 

But why describe these battles, the thought of 
which brings to many so much sadness and sorrow? 
Suffice it to say that the St. Mihiel offensive in 
which the famous brigade took part followed in due 
course of time, and then came that wonderful battle 
of Blanc Mont Ridge—“ the key of all the German 
defenses of this sector including the whole Rheims 
massif.” This is what General Gouraud called It 
when General Lejeune visited his headquarters on 
September 27, 1918. 

“ Do you think your division could effect its cap¬ 
ture, General? ” asked the French officer of the 
marine. 

“ I feel certain of it,” was the prompt reply, and 
thereupon the American was told to make his 
preparations accordingly, for he would be given the 
opportunity to prove his assertion. 

Between October 3rd and 9th, that Second 
Division as a unit of the Fourth Army of France 
demonstrated to the full the general’s faith in it. 
It seized the ridge and then advanced beyond, and 
although both flanks were “ in the air ” it held every 
inch of its ground, and as a result the entire battle 
M3 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

line of the Germans was forced to retreat hastily for 
distances varying from twenty to twenty-five miles. 
The losses inflicted on the invaders were appal¬ 
ling. 

On the right and left of the Second Division, the 
French armies carried on the fighting, but it was 
the unparalleled attack of the Americans which 
made the advance of the others a possibility. The 
Blanc Mont Ridge was a mass of concrete fortifica¬ 
tions, a maze of trenches; it was pitted and scarred 
with deep shell craters made by nearly four years of 
continuous artillery duels; it was a cobweb of 
barbed wire and pitfalls, and there were counter 
attacks to contend with,—fierce, desperate encoun¬ 
ters, but still the gallant Second held all they had 
gained. 

In the meantime, Tommy Turner had resolutely 
refused to be sent back to the United States. In¬ 
stead he insisted on being allowed to rejoin his 
company and his arrival was just before the Meuse- 
Argonne offensive was brought to its close. This 
part of the operations was begun on September 
26 th resulting in another advance of thirty kilome¬ 
ters for the allied forces, and found the marines 
across the River Meuse and in complete possession 
of the high ground from which the Germans had 
been driven. This crossing of the Meuse had been 
accomplished in the face of withering and concen- 
144 


DICK S STRANGE ADVENTURE 


trated gun fire of the enemy, but now the resistance 
of the foe was beaten down and crushed, never to 
rise again. 

With this last victory came the cringing of the 
hitherto vainglorious, high-handed Hun. Seeing 
that his props were cut from beneath him he loudly 
cried for mercy, and on the “ eleventh hour of the 
eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year 
1918 ” hostilities ceased, and the Germans began 
the withdrawal of their cowering armies. Close be¬ 
hind them followed the allied troops who were to in¬ 
sure they did not delay nor stop their ignominious 
retirement. 

By the terms of the armistice the Germans must 
go back even farther than their original starting 
point—they must retire across the River Rhine, 
which was their natural boundary line on the west, 
and along this famous stream the victorious troops 
would keep watch and ward at every important 
point on its high and picturesque banks and even 
patrol its waters until the treaty of peace was 
finally signed in Paris. 

“ Pve got me fill of foightin’, Misther Tommy, 
but bedad, we let them scoundrels off too aisy, sir. 
Turn the tables around and see how much they’d be 
for givin’ of us, sir.” 

“ I agree with you, Mike, but it was done solely 
from a humanitarian standpoint. They knew, we 
i45 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

knew, and the world knew they were licked 
and-” 

“ Then why not play the man’s part instead of 
yelpin’ loike a lot of yaller mongrels? No, Misther 
Tommy, we shouldn’t have listened to ’em, sir. I 
may be old and gettin’ tired of it, but I’ve yet got 
a lot of foight still left in me, begorra.” 

“ But think of the lives which would needlessly 
be wasted, Mike.” 

“ Yes, I’m thinkin’ av them that was uselessly 
wasted by them sons of Huns—I’m thinkin’ of 
them innocent wimmen and the jolly little kiddies 
they’ve murthered in cold blood in Belgium and 
France. I’m thinkin’ of the-” 

“ I know, Mike, I know and deep down in my 
heart—yes, I guess in the hearts of each and every 
one of us if the truth were told, we wanted to keep 
it up, but—well, we are no longer supposed to be 
barbarians, and if we had c carried on ’ and chased 
them back, ruining their cities, devastating their 
homes—then we would have put ourselves on their 
level. We would have lost sight of the principle, 
to uphold which we entered the war.” 

“ Misther Tommy, the Irish in me don’t be for 
admittin’ of principles under such conditions, and 
when foightin’ with the loikes of such hy-e-nees.” 
And many there are who agree with old Dorian. 

Out of France, across Belgium to the River 
146 




DICICS STRANGE ADVENTURE 


Rhine went the defeated, and how different was 
their reception from those long-suffering people, 
over whom for four weary years they had held such 
despotic sway. Behind them, brooking no delay, 
marched the armies of France and Belgium, 
Britain and America, and with the last named came 
the famous shock troops of Uncle Sam, whose valor 
had done so much within the last six months to pile 
ignominy on the foe. As a part of this conquering 
and occupying force came the Fourth Brigade of 
Marines, now world famous, and with that brigade 
marched Dick Comstock, Tommy Turner and 
Mike Dorian. And they enjoyed that march more 
than any other part of their varied experiences in 
the World War. 

“ It’s worth a lifetoime of harrd knocks to see the 
joy of them freed people,” remarked Mike. 

One evening as the head of the column was ap¬ 
proaching a little Belgian village a surprise awaited 
them. The Fifth Regiment of Marines happened to 
be leading the column that day and some miles from 
the town the entire population headed by a band 
composed of citizens met them, and behind the 
blatant blare of horn and clash of cymbals of these 
grateful enthusiasts they were escorted into the 
center of the town as conquering heroes should have 
been. 

The billeting officer on this occasion was none 
i47 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK a U. S. M. C. 

other than Tommy Turner, but all his work went 
for naught. The inhabitants waited for no assign¬ 
ments to billets, for as the soldiery entered the 
confines of their district they fairly shoved the 
marines into their homes and put them to bed in 
the best rooms in their houses. It was no use to 
protest,—father, mother, eldest sister and little 
son took a hand in the capture. There was no 
escaping their welcome importunities, nor was 
there any active resistance on the part of the tired 
marchers. 

“ I believe I’ll be returning to this place the first 
furlough I get, Mike,” said Sergeant Peterson the 
following morning after the same band had es¬ 
corted the troops well on their way. “ Although 
I had the best bed and the most tempting one I 
ever gazed on in my whole life, I didn’t any more 
than get a squint at it. You see, I was up all 
night.” 

“ Uh-huh! I see ye was,” came the reply. “And 
if I’m not bein’ mistaken ye was strollin’ around 
the plaza wid that pretty little Belgian gurrl daw¬ 
dling on yer arrm as if ’twas a medal of honor ye 
was a-wearin’.” 

“ She was and is, Mike. That’s why I’m coming 
back—in order to carry that sweet little medal of 
honor back to God’s country with me.” 

“ Yes? And how did ye talk with the colleen, me 
148 


DICK’S STRANGE ADVENTURE 


lad?” questioned the old sergeant with a twinkle 
in his eyes. 

“ Oh, we didn’t have to do much talking, Mike! 51 

“ No? Well, I’ll be guessin’ ye didn’t, and as 
for that, for all me old eyes could see, the majority 
of the regiment is in the same boat with ye.” 

He paused for a while and then added: 

“ And I’ll be tellin’ av a secret to ye, me lad,— 
for onct in me loife I was tempted to take up the 
study of this here Belgian langwidge, meself.” 

The following night they reached their stopping 
place just as the last of the Germans were leaving 
on the far side of the town. Fast as were the 
Kaiser’s troops in their going, they had to be con¬ 
tinually spurred. No longer was there an incentive 
to stir them as was the case when, victorious, they 
strode on, rough-shod, in their rush to Paris. 

Tommy was again billeting officer and in his as¬ 
signments he managed so that Dick and he should 
occupy the same dwelling for the night. 

A conference kept them up rather late and be¬ 
fore turning in they strolled around the principal 
streets, but as nearly everyone had retired they 
found no amusement worthy the name, so returned 
to their billets. As they quietly entered the house, 
Dick’s attention was attracted by the sound of 
voices from one of the rooms on the ground floor. 

In the early part of the evening he had noticed 
149 


CAPTAIN, COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 

that Monsieur Flammeau’s daughter was an ex^ 
ceedingly attractive girl and although he had not 
spoken with her he had heard her voice and he at 
once recognized her as one of the speakers. The 
other voice, from the lower grumble, was that of a 
man. He would have thought nothing further of 
the matter, but as he stepped on the stairs the sound 
of a scuffle from behind the closed door came 
to his ears and then followed a woman’s scream, 
muffled almost at once, as though a stifling hand 
had been roughly placed over the girl’s mouth. 

The scuffle and scream made him pause for a 
moment, but no action suggested itself to his mind 
although he intuitively felt that something was 
amiss. At the same time, he was not positive and 
he did not feel that he had any right to interfere 
in the family affairs of these strangers. For all he 
knew it might prove to be nothing more than some 
domestic dispute, in which case interference would 
both be unwelcome and uncalled for under most 
circumstances. 

Tommy, now at the head of the stairway, turned 
to see why Dick was delaying and at that moment 
the noise was renewed and there was a frantic 
pounding on the paneling of the door. Dick hesi¬ 
tated no longer. With a bound he was at the door, 
trying to open it. Evidently it was locked on the 
opposite side as it would not budge an inch. 

150 


DICK'S STRANGE ADVENTURE 


The pounding had ceased and the persons had 
swung away from the door toward the center of 
the room. Again he heard a sobbing call from the 
girl. Again the muffling stifled it and the struggle 
within continued. By now Tommy had reached 
his side and was asking the cause of the excite¬ 
ment. 

“ Don’t know,” answered Dick. “ Beat it out¬ 
side and see if you can get in through the windows.” 

There was nothing in sight in the hallway with 
which to break down the door, so with a short rush 
Dick rammed his shoulder against the panel nearest 
the lock. The stout board crashed inward sufficiently 
to allow him to run his arm through the opening 
and turn the key in the lock. In another moment 
he was in the room. 

By the dim light he saw Mademoiselle Flam- 
meau sitting on the floor in the center of the room. 
She was breathless, but otherwise apparently un¬ 
harmed, though her dress was torn about the shoul¬ 
ders and her long, black hair was in disorder. An 
open door at the far end of the compartment 
showed the route which the other occupant had 
taken in his flight and in a second Dick was rushing 
through the kitchen out into the courtyard in pur¬ 
suit. As he reached the yard he saw a man strug¬ 
gle to the top,of the high enclosing wall at the back 
and drop from sight on the other side. As the 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

fellow squirmed over the obstacle some letters and 
papers dropped to the flagstones below. 

Pursuit was out of the question. Dick did not 
know the town at all, and to go chasing through 
the maze of dark alleys would have been of little 
use. He believed that possibly the papers might 
be of some value so he carefully gathered the letters 
and loose sheets together and put them in his 
pocket. Pie then returned to the house, closing and 
locking the kitchen door behind him. 

He found no one in the front room but Tommy 
Turner. 

“ Where is the girl, Tommy? ” 

“ Gone up-stairs. She has hardly left the room. 
You see, I went outside as you told me, but the 
wooden shutters were up and you can scarcely see 
a ray of light through them. When I came back, 
Mademoiselle was getting up from the floor. I of¬ 
fered to assist her, as she seemed to be all in, but 
say, she’s some haughty piece of furniture; she 
fairly hissed at me like a snake would and said, 
‘ Keep your hands away from me. I’ve had enough 
to do with the American Saviours of the World,’ 
and swish—out she swings like a dethroned queen, 
and as though I were the dirt under her feet. 
What’s the row, Dick? ” 

“ Come on up to our rooms and I’ll tell you all I 
know.” 


152 


DICK’S STRANGE ADVENTURE 


When Dick finished with his rather meager ac-< 
count, he brought forth the papers, intending to see 
if they would offer any enlightenment. 

“ Hello, they’re in English, right enough,” he 
said, as he arranged the numbered pages in proper 
order. “ Well, I’ll be jiggered! ” he exclaimed as 
his eyes scanned the opening words and the heading 
of the letter. Then to his companion’s astonish¬ 
ment, he folded the pages up and replaced them in 
the pocket of his coat. 

“ Did you find out anything? ” inquired Tommy, 
whose curiosity was most natural. 

“ W-e-1-1, I don’t believe they’ll prove much 
of a clue, after all. Good-night, old dear,” and 
to his friend’s continued amazement, Dick en¬ 
tered his own room and closed the door behind 
him. 

For some time after leaving Tommy, Dick sat 
on the edge of his bed, lost in thought. Then he 
took the letters again from his pocket and read 
them from beginning to end. 

“ I haven’t an idea who ever wrote these gossipy 
things full of untruths, for the only signature is an 
initial,” he said half aloud, “ but the fact that they’re 
from my own home town is certain, and also that 
they were sent to Reddy Doyle cannot be disputed, 
but how in the world could they get here in this 
house unless-” 


i53 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

The best part of the night Dick Comstock was 
awake, trying to figure out what sequence of events 
followed his uncompleted sentence. 


154 


CHAPTER XII 


DORLAN BELIEVES IN RECIPROCITY 

Dick and Tommy, descending to the first floor 
of their billets the following morning, found Mon¬ 
sieur Flammeau declaiming excitedly before his 
wrecked door. 

“ How does this happen? ” he was demanding of 
his wife, daughter, and the gaping servant girl. “ I 
go to bed. I sleep soundly. On coming down early 
this morning I find my doors broken. It is bur¬ 
glars, you say. I say it cannot be. Nothing has 
been taken. In fact, the Germans have left 
nothing of value behind them to tempt burglars. 
All the outer doors are closed and locked. The 
shutters fast—yet ” 

“ And did you hear no noise during the night, 
Father? 5 ’ Mademoiselle was saying as Dick and 
Tommy approached the group, then catching 
Dick’s surprised look, she blushed scarlet, but her 
eyes spoke to him as eloquently as though she had 
expressed her thoughts in words. 

“ Say nothing,” was the appeal Dick read in their 
dark depths. 


i55 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK a U. S. M. C. 

“Not a sound! Nor did Mother, nor Anna, 
here. Ah! Bon jour , messieurs ; perhaps you may 
throw some light on this strange occurrence? ” 

Thereupon he related the cause of his mystifica¬ 
tion. 

“ It was a good door. A stout door, Monsieur. 
How—for what reason, comes it to be broken? ” 
he ended, and his comical, self-important pose and 
expression nearly started both young men into 
spasms of laughter. 

“ Has Monsieur assured himself that absolutely 
nothing has been removed? ” questioned Dick, hop¬ 
ing to avoid giving a direct answer to any of the 
fussy, little man’s inquiries. “ Perhaps we may 
find some important clue in the room itself.” 

But there was nothing, except possibly a chair 
pushed out of place—a rug disarranged. 

“ Most strange,” muttered Monsieur. “ But 
come! You are to break fast with us before you 
start, my friends. That is what brought us all from 
our repose at such an early hour. I am happy it is 
so, else discovering this wanton destruction after 
your departure, who knows what I might have 
thought? Suzette, my daughter, hasten to see if 
there are not fresh eggs in the yard. We have still 
one or two live fowl which the Germans failed to 
find and take from us,” he added, again turning to 
Dick. 


156 


RECIPROCITY. 


As Suzette departed to do her father’s bidding, 
Dick passed through the kitchen with her, remark¬ 
ing as he left: 

“ Perhaps Mademoiselle will permit me to as¬ 
sist her. It is long since I have had the pleasure 
of hunting for fresh-laid eggs.” 

“ But it is not for that reason you came with 
me,” said the girl, when they were beyond hearing 
of the others. 

“ You are right, Mademoiselle. I wish you to 
enlighten me as to last night’s adventure.” 

“ And suppose I refuse? ” she flashed at him. 

“ I have a very vital reason for wishing to know 
who was with you, Mademoiselle, and I do not 
believe you will think it wise to refuse my re¬ 
quest.” 

“ Then you would tell my father, and I did? ” 

“ No,” said Dick, “ I wish to know for purely 
personal reasons.” 

For a while the girl pondered, her eyes dream¬ 
ing and her thoughts apparently far away, then 
having made her decision, with a quick breath she 
began speaking. 

“ I will tell you briefly. Monsieur. The man 
with whom you heard me struggling was an Amer¬ 
ican citizen. Yes, one of your army, Monsieur. 
He came from a friend whom I have known for 
several years, who used to visit here on business 

15/ 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

before the war. I believed he liked me, and last 
evening when—this man—his friend came I was 
pleased, for he brought me good news. He ar¬ 
rived directly before the majority of your men 
reached the town. He said he was on special duty 
of some nature. 

“ What was it, you ask? I do not know. Pos¬ 
sibly billeting officer. He could visit with me but 
a short while, for at the time my parents were not 
at home, having gone out to witness the entrance 
of the troops and might return at any moment. 
You see my father had forbidden me corresponding 
with my—my friend, and so I asked him to meet me 
later in the evening, and he agreed to return. 
After my parents had retired I met him and we 
strolled about the streets, witnessing the joy of the 
inhabitants and conversing until quite late. We 
returned shortly before you and the other officer 
entered the house. And, well—in the meantime I 
had discovered he was not the kind of man with 
whom I would care to be alone, and—well, Mon¬ 
sieur, he pushed his way into the house—he became 
insulting. I attempted to call for help. I had 
heard you enter. I tried to escape from the room, 
but he prevented me and turned the key in the lock. 
In our struggles I again reached the door and 
pounded on the panels with my fists, hoping that 
you would hear me and then—a moment later you 
158 


RECIPROCITY 


came, and—the rest you know. That is all. But 
I was afraid to tell my father. He is very severe, 
Monsieur, and if he-” 

“What is the man’s name?” questioned Dick, 
bluntly, as Suzette began to weep silently. 

“ Oh, I don’t know, Monsieur—I do not know 
his name,” came the reply. 

“ But surely you must know the name of this 
man’s friend, Mademoiselle.” 

“ Oh, now I understand. His name. Monsieur, 
is Doyle, and-” 

“Suzette! Suzette! My child, hasten!” came 
the nervous staccato of Monsieur Flammeau’s voice 
from the kitchen doorway. 

“ I am coming, Father,” called the girl, and 
hastily gathering the eggs from some concealed 
nests, well under the eaves of the outhouse in which 
she and Dick were standing, Suzette hastily wiped 
away her tears then ran across the courtyard and 
into the house, leaving behind her a very much 
surprised and disgruntled young officer of Ma¬ 
rines. 

No opportunity offered for further talk with 
Suzette. In fact, she seemed purposely to avoid 
both Dick and Tommy, and as a result, when the 
march was resumed a little later, there remained un¬ 
answered many queries which Dick would have liked 
to have asked, for he could not yet bring himself to 
159 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

believe that this strange man in Monsieur Flam- 
meau’s house the night previous was his old class¬ 
mate and recent lieutenant, Reddy Doyle. Dick 
had caught but an indistinct glimpse of the girl’s 
assailant as he scrambled over the high wall, and 
even had it been Reddy, he would not have been 
able to recognize him, but—oh, well, it just could 
not have been Doyle—the Doyle he knew. Yet,— 
there were the letters, and- 

“Yep, there’s another outfit marching along 
over there on the next parallel road to this one,” 
one of Dick’s men was saying to another as they 
trudged along. “ They billeted in a village about 
three kilometers to the left of us last night and 
some of the men beat it over to our town after dark, 
just to see how we were making out.” 

“ I was talkin’ to a bunch of ’em. They told me 
that our old lieutenant, Reddy Doyle, is a captain 
now and they say, too, he’s some scrapper.” 

“ So I hear. I was chinning with one of the men 
from his company.” 

Here, indeed, was strange substantiation of the 
girl’s story. If men from those troops so near by 
could walk the short distance between the two stop¬ 
ping places for the night, certainly an officer would 
have no difficulty in making it. Dick’s hand sud¬ 
denly clenched on the sheets of letter paper he still 
carried in his coat pocket. 

100 



RECIPROCITY 


“ It must have been so,” he thought, “ but some¬ 
how I can’t believe it of him, and that’s all there is 
to it.” 

That famous march to the Rhine took the ma¬ 
rines not only through Belgium, but across Luxem¬ 
burg and through a part of Germany before they 
eventually reached their posts along the broad 
river, and their reception, as can well be imagined, 
was far from joyous when they passed beyond the 
boundaries of King Albert’s plucky little nation. 
With Coblenz as a center, the Americans settled 
down in that city and the surrounding towns and 
now began for them an era of healthful, routine 
drills, recreations, and the usual and to-be-expected 
police and guard duties devolving on a conquering 
army. Best of all to the harassed fighters was the 
final elimination of that pestiferous insect of trench 
and battlefield—the cootie. 

Altogether it was a pleasant prospect, for regi¬ 
ments up and down the river vied with one another 
to excel in all kinds of sports and other features for 
the amusement of the men. Not one man of that 
Army of Occupation will forget the wonderful 
theatrical performances staged by the various regi¬ 
ments. Travelling shows they were which arrived 
on schedule, and gave an exhibition in which talent 
was never lacking. Football had its numerous dev- 
161 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 

otees and track events were a constant source of 
enthusiasm and rivalry. 

At first the Germans living in the occupied 
towns were afraid of the Americans. This being 
especially noticeable as the columns first crossed the 
border between Luxemburg and the Rhine, but as 
they advanced, so did the news that the forces of 
Uncle Sam did not “ kill everybody,” and then the 
inhabitants became bolder. Finally in billets they 
attempted to fraternize to such an extent that a 
peremptory order was issued from American head¬ 
quarters forbidding all intercourse other than that 
absolutely essential to their military duties between 
the Germans and the Army of Occupation, much 
to the chagrin of many a blond-haired, buxom 
Rhine-maiden. Already they were laying their 
plans to capture or be captured by these good-na¬ 
tured conquerors and return with them across the 
ocean as bashful, blushing brides. 

“I never see the loikes of it in all me loife,” 
growled Dorian to his close companion, Sergeant 
Peterson; “ these bloomin’ Heinies seem to be 
thinkin’ that all they have to do now that the war 
is supposed to be over is to bat their eyes at anny 
one of us Yankee soldiers and begorra we’re bound 
to be a-failin’ for ’em and a-marryin’ of ’em forth¬ 
with.” Then, after a few contemplative draws at 
tnc stem of his favorite clay pipe, he added: 

162 


RECIPROCITY 


“ And the funny part of it all is, that a bit ago 
our bloodthirsty outfit would almost as lief cut 
their foolish hearrts out as to think kindly of a 
single one of the colleens, and now look at ’em,— 
love makin’ in spite of the orders to the contrary, 
and chucklin’ under the chin and goo-goo eyein’ 
from mornin’ till night, bedad.” 

“ Right-o, Mike, but I can’t see where the attrac¬ 
tion comes in at all.” 

“ Of course ye’d be sayin’ that, me lad, with that 
gurrl waitin’ for ye back there in Belgium, but 
yer opinion is what these here lady dressmakers 
would be for callin’ somewhat on the bias, I’m 
thinkin 

Laughingly Peterson acknowledged the truth of 
the older man’s assertion. “ By the way, Mike, the 
Captain told me this morning that some years ago 
he made a trip down this river and stopped at this 
very town. It seems he and his sister were over 
here with their parents for a whole summer, 
nearly.” 

“ Yes, I believe I heard him say, too, that wan 
of the servants in his father’s household, a cook, or 
a nurse or somethin’, was born around this neck of 
the woods, and that ’twas from this here servant 
the two of them. Miss Ursula and Misther Dick, 
got their first smatterin’s of this outlandish jargon 
these poor deluded people call langwidge. Uh! 

163 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK. , U. S. M. C. 

It’s the poorest collection of chuckles, growls and 
swallers I ever heard in me loife.” 

“ I can’t say I like the sound of it either, but 
some of the men are learning it mighty fast, I 
should say.” 

“ Yes, and they ain’t a-doin’ of their 1 earnin’ 
from no close application to anny books on the sub¬ 
ject,” ended Mike. 

That same evening, while Mike and Peterson 
were enjoying a quiet smoke in one of the gastwirt - 
schaftes or cafes frequented by the men of Dick’s 
company, several privates approached the table 
where the two non-coms were seated and asked 
Dorian to explain to them the disposition of the 
allied forces along the Rhine. Some discussion or 
other had resulted in a desire to know more about 
the terms of the armistice. Nothing loath, Old 
Mike asked for pencil and paper and drew a dia¬ 
gram to illustrate his talk. 

“ As it happens,” he began, by way of introduc¬ 
tion, “ the Capt’in was explainin’ this very matter 
to us non-coms this mornin’, so I’m tellin’ of ye be¬ 
forehand that what I’m goin’ to give ye is the 
straight dope.” 

Beginning at the top of the sheet of paper he 
drew an irregular line down its right-hand side. 

“ This here line represents the River Rhine, from 
Holland to Switzerland; and right here, not quite 
164 


RECIPROCITY 

half-way down the line, is Coblenz. This crookety 
line joinin’ the Rhine near that city is the Moselle 
River, and by the way, I’ll put a little circle down 



at the southern end of the Moselle, right near the 
Frinch border, which represents the city of Metz. 
Half-way between Coblenz and Holland on the 
left bank of the Rhine is Cologne, and about an 

165 









CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , 17. 5. M. C. 

equal distance to the southeast of us is Mayence or 
Mainz, whichever way yer fancy wishes to call the 
place.” 

“ How do you know how to pronounce all those 
names, Top? ” asked one of the listeners. 

“ Didn’t I be for tellin’ of ye that Capt’in Dick 
just explained the hull shebang to us this very 
momin’? And did ye ever yit see an Irishman 
without a good mem’ry? Now don’t go interruptin’ 
again with foolish and unnecessary questions. Ac¬ 
cordin’ to the terms of the armistice, the Heinies 
were required to retire to the east bank of the 
Rhine, thereby givin’ up all the counthry which 
they swiped from the Frinch in the War of 1870.” 
“ Do you mean Alsace and Lorraine? ” 

“ Eggzackly—and you kin bet yer old hat that 
Kaiser Bill is tearin’ his hair out in chunks on ac¬ 
count of that. I remember readin’ onct that he 
told one of his arrmies in a rip-roarin’ talk he give 
to ’em that he’d ‘ rather see his forty-five million 
Prussians dead on the field of battle than see one 
foot of the soil taken in 1870 give back to France.’ ” 
“ It’s too bad he didn’t see the first part of that 
speech carried out,” spoke up one of the audience. 

“ Now to continue,” resumed Mike, after filling 
his old clay pipe with cuttings from a dark piece 
of real Navy plug, “ all along this west bank of the 
river our troops are lined up and patrollin’ it, but as 
166 


RECIPROCITY 


an extry safeguarrd, another clause of the armistice 
stated that the allies would cross the river at certain 
important p’ints—bridgeheads, as we say in mili¬ 
tary parlance, and establish a zone around these 
bridgeheads, with them as a center in each case, and 
with a radius of thirty kilometers all around them. 
Outside of this zone there is a neutral zone of ten 
kilometers where neither our men nor anny German 
arrmed forces are allowed to trespass.” 

“ Just a minute, Top,” interrupted an interested 
youngster. “ Tell us what advantage this is to us? 
So long as we’re lined up on one bank of the river, 
what have we to fear? ” 

“ It’s this way, me lad: the old Rhine hereabouts 
is five hundred yards in width and she’s too deep 
for anny fordin’; now, as we have our people al¬ 
ready across the river and well established at these 
prominent p’ints, then if them fellers starts anny 
monkey business before the peace terms is signed, 
or they don’t agree to our way of thinkin’ what’s 
right is right, don’t ye see we’re in a foine position 
right off the bat to starrt in moppin’ up the entire 
German Empire at a moment’s notice? We’ve got 
possession of the bridges and we’ve got several di¬ 
visions of our best foightin’ men ready to give ’em 
‘ Hail Columbia ’ and bring ’em up with a round 
turn.” 

“ I see it now. Go on! ” 

167 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U . S. M. C. 

“ At Cologne the English have their headquar¬ 
ters and for thirty kilometers—a semicircular area, 
mind ye, with that distance as its radius, the Limies 
have charrge. Uncle Sam’s arrmies are here in the 
area around Coblenz, and the Frinchies are sur¬ 
roundin’ the bridgehead at Mayence.” 

“ If we have taken possession, why don’t we do 
all the running of the towns then? ” asked one of 
the men. 

“ There’s no real reason, I suppose, but as long 
as them burgomeisters, or mayors, keep things goin’ 
properly they might as well continue,” said Mike. 
“ It makes less wurruk for us and we don’t have 
to be botherin’ our heads with the civil end of the 
business, which would take a lot of officers and men 
from their military job. I’ve been in manny cap¬ 
tured towns and cities in my day and as a rule 
we’ve let the natives of the places run things, so 
long as they do it accordin’ to our sense of fitness. 
Sometoimes we’ve taken over the policin’ ourselves 
so that there wouldn’t be no conflict of authority, 
but manny toimes we let the native cops keep their 
jobs and we do the superintendin’. When a people 
know they’re licked they gin’rally have sense 
enough to get aboard the band-wagon and make the 
best of it, even if they can’t be holdin’ down the 
driver’s seat.” 

“ You have a lot of paper left there, Top; do you 
168 


RECIPROCITY 


mind drawing in roughly, if you happen to remem¬ 
ber, a line showing where we began driving the 
Huns back, and where the line was on the day the 
armistice was made. I’d like to keep it for my own 
information.” 

“ If yer that much interested, me lad, I’ll be only 
too glad to do the best I kin to make ye a good 
suvvynir,” and with much spreading of elbows and 
bristling of eyebrows, the old fellow finished a very 
presentable and reasonably accurate sketch which 
he handed over to the delighted marine. 

“ Thanks, Sergeant,” said the recipient, “ and 
now I’ll tell you the reason I asked for it was not 
because I didn’t know about it already, but I 
wanted a souvenir of Old Mike Dorian, if you want 
to know the truth.” 

It was a flattering confession and Mike could not 
help but feel pleased though he blustered out 
roughly: 

“ What’s that yer tryin’ to kid me with, ye young 
scalawag? And how do ye know it’s right, I’m 
askin’ ye? ” 

“ Here it all is in this Sunday Supplement, and 
also a fine full-page picture of President Wilson, 
Top, and I’ll give it to you in exchange,” and the 
speaker unfolded the illustrated paper as he spoke. 

The two drawings were favorably compared, 
while all the men gathered around to comment on 
169 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

them and also to examine the picture of their chief 
executive. They were thus engaged when Frau 
Hoffman, the stout, elderly German proprietress of 
the gastwirtscliaft, pushed her way through the 
group and with an exclamation of anger, snatched 
the paper from the table and with her pudgy hands 
tore it in two across the face of the man to whom 
she accredited the defeat of her beloved Father- 
land. 

“ I won’t have you bringing that ingrate’s face 
inside my doors,” she bristled in her native tongue. 

A few of the men present understood her words 
—all comprehended the insult of her action, and for 
a moment there was an ominous stillness in the low- 
ceiled room of the tavern. Had hot-tar been handy 
Frau Hoffman might have been gallivanting down 
the street on a pole with as full a coat of feathers 
as that famous bird, the roc. 

The marine who owned the paper flushed to the 
roots of his hair, and his eyes blazed, but the old 
lady stood her ground bravely. 

“ So that’s the way you feel about it, Mother? ” 
came the clear, crisp voice of Dorian, and now all 
eyes were focussed on the veteran. 

What was he going to do? Was he going to 
strike her? 

Slowly and deliberately Mike rose to his feet, 
then turning his back on the irate German 
170 


RECIPROCITY, 


woman he crossed the room to where a highly 
colored print of the Kaiser, in an ornate gilt 
frame, was hanging on the wall. With his bare, 
heavy fist, he deliberately smashed the glass 
and pulling the picture out he tore it into small 
bits before the appalled and astonished gaze of 
Frau Hoffman and the several German patrons 
occupying the small tables about the place. He 
threw the crumpled pieces of paper on the flagged 
floor and deliberately kicked them out of his way 
as he strode toward the door. 

On reaching the portal he turned again to the 
now shaking old woman. 

“ Ye may not undershtand me langwidge anny 
better than I’m undershtandin’ that of yours, old 
lady—but possibly ye will savvey me actions, just 
as I savvey yours—and were ye a man, now, I’d 
lambaste ye so harrd that, fat as ye are, ye’d be 
needin’ a couple of pillows in order to be sittin’ 
down at all, at all, for the rest of yer days,” and 
giving an unoffending chair near him a violent kick, 
Mike strode out into the street, followed by every 
marine present. 

“ And that’s what I call reciprocity,” he said, as 
he walked away, “ only it ain’t the koind which ap¬ 
peals at all to me sense of right and justice.” 


171 


CHAPTER XIII 


ABOUT INSIGNIA AND FRAU HOFFMAN 

In the town where Dick Comstock’s company of 
marines had jurisdiction the duties were not too 
arduous and the men were soon settled comfortably. 

Dick, Tommy Turner, Second Lieutenant Hall 
who had joined the company previous to the march 
of the division to the Rhine, and a warrant officer 
named Wilson, had their billets in a commodious 
dwelling near the home of the burgomeister, Mein 
Herr Jacob Schull. The men were billeted in 
barns, storehouses and outhouses, but these places 
had been fixed up quite attractively; each squad 
vying with their neighboring squads in giving their 
temporary domiciles a homey appearance. 

Although the weather was crisp and at times cold 
it was generally pleasant. Snow, though frequent, 
was not heavy and only in the woods did the white 
ice particles remain in evidence for any length of 
time. 

Occasionally a hunting party, composed of men 
or officers, would bring in a small deer as the result 
of a long day’s tramp in the surrounding forests, 
172 


ABOUT INSIGNIA 


and from near-by streams it was an easy matter to 
procure fresh fish for the mess cooks. 

Mail came with regularity. Leave and fur¬ 
loughs were granted, and the old time city of Aix- 
les-Bains, having been designated as the chief 
pleasure resort for the troops, was fitted up with all 
sorts of healthful attractions to induce the men to 
spend their time there enjoying the benefits the 
government provided. 

One thing which pleased the marines immensely 
was that they were again able to appear before the 
world in clean and well-fitting uniforms. They 
were now supplied throughout with the olive-drab 
of the United States Army, and wore on their left 
shoulders, and proudly too, the insignia of the 
famous Second Division. 

This shoulder insignia is quite worthy of descrip¬ 
tion. It was the profile of an American Indian’s 
head wearing the feathered head-dress, it was 
mounted in a white, five-pointed star sewed on a 
colored background. The color of this background 
showed the battalion or independent company in 
the regiment to which the wearer belonged. 

Black was used for the Headquarters Company; 
green for the Supply Company; purple the Ma¬ 
chine-gun Company, and red, yellow and blue for 
the first, second or third battalion as the case might 
be. 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 

To designate the regiment in the division to which 
a man belonged the background was given various 
shapes as follows: Fifth Marines, a square; Sixth 




STAR /$ YYR/TE 

BACKGROUND BLACK —HEADQUARTERS CO. 

GREEK — SUPPLY CO. 

PUP PLE — MACHINE GUN CO. 


RED - /•>* Bn. 


YEL L O VY - E Bn. 

SL UE - 3^ Bn. 


Marines, a diamond; Ninth Infantry, a pentagon; 
Twenty-third Infantry, a circle; Twelfth Field 
Artillery, a horizontal oblong; Fifteenth Field 
Artillery, a vertical oblong; Seventh Field Artil- 
i 74 













ABOUT INSIGNIA 

lery, a projectile and the Second Engineers, a 
castle. 

“ If I were to take up a fad,” remarked Tommy 
Turner one day after returning from a brief visit 
to Coblenz where he had seen not only his own 
division’s shoulder insignia with nearly every varia¬ 
tion possible, but also many from other organiza¬ 
tions of the army, “ I believe I’d take up the col¬ 
lection of shoulder insignias worn by the American 
troops during this war. It would beat collecting 
stamps all to hollow in one respect at least—a fel¬ 
low would have some chance of getting a complete 
collection before he died, and such a thing will never 
be possible to the stamp collector.” 

“Who designed the insignia for our Div?” 
questioned Lieutenant Hall. 

“ It’s said that one of our truck drivers is re¬ 
sponsible for it. He wished to follow the French 
custom of having some distinguishing mark such 
as they have on their aeroplanes, avions and so 
forth; so he painted the Indian’s head inside a white 
star on both sides of his old motor-truck and some 
bright person in the Div spotted it and forthwith 
recommended its adoption,” answered Gunner 
Wilson. 

“And if you wish to see the whole works in the 
way of insignia you want to take a trip to Aix, or 
for that matter any big center,” said Tommy. 

175 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

“ Believe me, they make your head swim both as to 
design and color—but it’s great dope, and the men 
take a lot of pride in wearing them.” 

“ I can remember,” remarked Wilson, who had 
been a gunnery sergeant in the Marine Corps for a 
number of years before the war began, “ when a 
fellow might have a few medals, and the ribbons 
for them, but he seldom thought to wear them. 
Often the government was so late in sending them 
to the individuals concerned that they were likely 
as not already discharged from the service, and 
only the old timers had any to speak of—they didn’t 
bother much with the gadgets.” 

“ I know,” said Tommy, “ Dick has often told 
me about old Dorian for instance. It seems he had 
a whole boxful which he had been awarded— 
among them were two medals of honor, but hardly 
any of his shipmates knew of it. When asked why 
he never wore them he used to say that until he 
could wear a good conduct medal for an enlistment 
in the Corps he wouldn’t wear any. He said that 
that truly meant merit, whereas a medal of honor, 
while it denoted extraordinary heroism and bravery 
possibly, the chances were that the act for which 
it was given was done under the influence of excite¬ 
ment and not due to any good sense on the part of 
the recipient.” 

“ Yes, I’ve served with Mike before this,” said 
176 


ABOUT INSIGNIA 


Wilson; “the old fellow was always getting into 
trouble on account of his over fondness for alcohol, 
and it meant a S. C. M. a on his record, and if 
there’s one of those down against you on your en¬ 
listment you haven’t a chance in the world of get¬ 
ting the medal. However he got one for his last 
hitch.” 

“ You bet he did! He made a wager of some 
sort with Dick. I guess his devotion and his desire 
to stand well in his ‘ lad’s ’ estimation helped him 
win out.” 

“For short service. Captain Comstock has been 
no slouch when it comes to picking up such things,” 
said Hall. “ He sure has a string of them across 
his left chest now, with that D. S. C. which the 
Secretary of the Navy handed out to him when he 
visited us last week.” 

“ Yep! Dick’s been in service now for less than 
eight years,” remarked Tommy, “ and he has 
medals for the Nicaraguan, Mexican, Haitian and 
San Domingan campaigns; an army D. S. C.; a 
Croix de Guerre from the French, an M. C. good 
conduct medal, and badges for expert rifleman and 
pistol shot.” 

“And Congress is now passing an act to award a 
Victory medal for this war,” said Hall. “ It’s to 
be a beauty, suspended on a rainbow-colored rib- 

1 Summary Court-Martial. 

1 77 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 




5 


6 


7 


1. Medal of Honor (New Design). 

2. Navy War Cross (D. S. C.). 

3. Army War Cross (D. S. C.). 

4. Navy Distinguished Service Medal (D. S. M.). 

5. Army Distinguished Service Medal (D. S. M.). 

6. Army Medal of Honor. 

7. Victory Medal. 


i 7 8 



















ABOUT INSIGNIA 


bon, with a separate clasp for each major operation 
which the man who receives it took part in. That 
will make another one for all of us to wear.” 

44 I reckon about the only decoration which won’t 
be popular with our troops is the Iron War Cross 
of Prussia. However, I’ve seen both men and 
officers search among the fallen for them, just to 
keep them as souvenirs, you know.” 

“ That cross is still popular with the Heinies, 
though,” advised Wilson. 44 This morning I saw 
one of their demobilized soldiers strutting around 
town sporting his medal and proud of it appar¬ 
ently.” 

44 1 saw him. I was in the office when he re¬ 
ported to the Captain,” said Hall. 44 He told us 
he was in the fight at Chateau Thierry against us, 
and though he was wounded in that scrap he was 
returned to the lines in time to take part in several 
other engagements before the armistice. His 
name is Hoffman, a son of the old woman who runs 
the gastwirtscliaft.” 

44 It’s remarkable how few demobilized Germans 
are appearing,” remarked Tommy. 44 1 believe they 
are endeavoring to keep as much of their army in¬ 
tact as is possible. Had this fellow Hoffman been 
to Division Headquarters and through the de- 
lousing and disinfecting plants down there? ” 

44 Yes,” smiled Hall, 44 he had a clean bill of 
179 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

health. He said he was intending to assist his 
mother in running the tavern until matters were 
straightened out some. He’s a smart-looking, 
foxy-eyed fellow—about thirty odd years of age, I 
judge, and I can’t say he appeared very servile or 
hardly polite some of the time. Of course the 
Captain was able to ‘ give and take ’ when it came 
to talking Hoffman’s lingo—he can’t speak Eng¬ 
lish—and after the man left Captain Dick ex¬ 
pressed a belief that Hoffman was the kind of man 
to make trouble if the opportunity offered. One 
of those who knew he was licked but wouldn’t 
acknowledge it. He also said there was something 
familiar about the man, but he couldn’t say exactly 
what it was.” 

“ Well, Bo, if he’s looking for trouble he’s very 
liable to find his hands full if he starts anything 
with this company,” said Wilson, grimly. 

“ I wonder what he will have to say when the old 
lady tells him how Mike treated her precious pic¬ 
ture of the Kaiser? ” added Tommy. 

And Tommy would have been surprised indeed, 
could he have overheard the conversation taking 
place in Frau Hoffman’s private rooms at that very 
hour. 

Friedrich Hoffman was sitting at ease in his 
mother’s room. His military coat unbuttoned; his 
stockinged-feet from which the heavy leathern 
180 


ABOUT INSIGNIA 


boots worn by the army of Prussia had been re¬ 
moved, were resting on a cushioned chair, placed 
for the “ war god ” by the adoring hands of his 
old mother. On a little stand at his elbow rested 
a highly decorated stein of frothy beer; while over¬ 
head a smoke cloud lingered, blue and filmy, filling 
the air with the aroma of a much better tobacco 
than Frau Hoffman dispensed over her tiny coun¬ 
ter in the large room of the public tavern below- 
stairs. 

“ It is worth an absence of a dozen years, Mother, 
to return to such agreeable surroundings and such 
a warm reception/’ Friedrich was saying. 

“ But for your stubbornness, Friedrich, you 
might have been enjoying it for many years past,” 
answered the old lady. 

“ Yes, apparently I’ve missed much, but now that 
I’m here I expect to enjoy it all the more to rec¬ 
ompense myself for the years lost,” and he smiled, 
though neither kindly nor genially, at the stout 
woman who hovered and fussed around him like an 
anxious hen with her one precious chick. 

“ Indeed you must, my son—indeed you shall! ” 

“ Do these rascally, impudent Yankees give you 
any trouble? ” he now questioned. 

“ No—no ; none at all. They seldom patronize 
my place. Though at first mine was the most pop¬ 
ular establishment in the town.” 

181 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U . S. M. C. 

44 Then you are not reaping the harvest you 
might, eh? ” remarked the son. 44 1 have no use for 
them, but they spend their money freely and we 
should do something to get their trade. Now is the 
opportunity to store away some surplus funds 
against the hard days which I fear will come. 
Why have they transferred their patronage? ” 

44 1 suppose it was due to a thoughtless act of 
mine,” she replied, and thereupon followed the 
story of the evening First Sergeant Dorian had 
destroyed the sacred picture of Kaiser Wilhelm, 
and stamped the remnants beneath his hob-nailed 
shoes. 

44 Since then,” she ended, 44 not one of the com¬ 
pany locally billeted here has entered the building, 
except for some official purposes.” 

During the recital the son Friedrich listened with 
half closed but attentive eyes, and the lighted cigar 
remained neglected. For a few moments after the 
conclusion of the tale he remained silent, but now 
the smoke-cloud was thicker than before. 

His next question was most unexpected. 

44 To whom have you told you had a son in the 
Kaiser’s army? ” 

44 No one, Friedrich,” and the old mother closely 
scrutinized her son’s features. 44 How could I tell 
what I did not know myself? For all I was aware 
to the contrary, you might have been fighting 
182 


ABOUT INSIGNIA 


against the Fatherland. You must remember that 
I’ve not heard from you since you ran-” 

“ Let us not speak of that,” interrupted the son, 
harshly. “ Then, of course, you have not told them 
your son was in America? ” 

“ Naturally I have not. Though I may have 
thought of you many times, Friedrich, my thoughts 
have been my own—I seldom spoke of you to the 
townspeople even.” 

“ Ashamed to? ” briefly. 

“ Not ashamed, my boy, but overcome with 
heart-hurt—but, as you say, let us not talk of that. 
You have come back and my joy is great,” and the 
old mother surreptitiously wiped her eyes with a 
corner of her capacious apron. 

“ Will the neighbors say anything, now that I 
have returned? ” 

“ I believe not,” and now the watery old eyes 
looked away from the man, out through the small- 
paned window. “ I have never told them that I 
did not know where you were. You see,” she spoke 
with quick apology, “ I must speak of things gone 
by. I never told them that you ran away, without 
saying a word to your mother, nor that I did not 
know where you had gone, nor that I never had 
heard from you. I was not going to have them say 
unkind things of my son. I used your aunt’s let¬ 
ters as a blind. They used to come regularly before 

183 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 

this war began. I used them to carry on the de¬ 
ception. Yes, it hurt to do so, but it was better 
than that they should think ill of you.” 

“ My aunt—she is then still in the United 
States? ” 

“ I do not know now, for since sometime before 
the United States so deceitfully joined with the 
Allies against us I have received no word. But 
you—you say you have been in America, you surely 
must have seen your Aunt Frieda.” 

“I? Why, Mother, you are like all provincial 
Europeans—you imagine the United States is 
nothing but a small town where everyone knows 
his neighbors. America is a vast republic. It 
could swallow the German Empire and Austro- 
Hungary combined, many times over, and then have 
room to spare. But where was Aunt Frieda when 
you last heard from her? ” 

“ She has always remained with the family with 
whom she first took employment. You must re¬ 
member, Friedrich. I have often read you her let¬ 
ters from the old New England town in Connecti¬ 
cut. It is called-” 

“ Yes, yes, I remember,” interrupted the man, 
and now he was all attention. “ It had slipped my 
mind for the moment. But tell me—tell me the 
name of the family with whom she found employ¬ 
ment. You say it is the same one? ” 

184 



ABOUT INSIGNIA 


His former indolence had flown. He removed 
his feet from the chair and was now sitting bolt 
upright, gazing intently at the old lady, almost as 
though he were angry with her. 

“ Yes, the same family the entire time. She left 
here soon after our father’s death, to try her for¬ 
tunes in the new world. She has been very gener¬ 
ous to me. It was by her help that I was able to 
establish this business. It was the money she has 
sent me each month from America which made it 
possible for me to deceive the neighbors and make 
them believe it was money you were-” 

“ What was the name, I asked you? ” and the 
son was now glaring at the mother and his voice 
had become a roar of impatience. 

“ Comstock—John Comstock! Oh, Friedrich, 
why have you become so hard a man? Is there 
really no affection nor love in you? My boy—my 
little boy!” and Frau Hoffman, rising with sur¬ 
prising quickness for one of her size and years, 
crossed the room to where her son sat staring at the 
floor, lost in thought, and placing her worn, trem¬ 
bling hands on his close-cropped, bullet-shaped 
head, she attempted some motherly fondling. 

“ Bah! Let me alone. I wish to think this thing 
out,” came the rough answer; “ and I want another 
stein.” 

When the old lady had left the room to carry out 
185 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C . 

his request, great tears were rolling down her fat 
cheeks, while behind her the man was muttering 
aloud: 

“ So it is Captain Dick Comstock’s father, eh? 
Well, I guess I can find a way to bring back the 
American trade to my mother’s door without much 
trouble. That is, if some of the things I’ve heard 
about this Captain are to be believed. This adds 
but another score for me to even up with that fresh 
Yankee. I hate them all, but I hate this fellow 
more than any of them. Had it not been for his 
father, I might yet be living in ease in New York. 
It was his old man’s suspicions of me that nearly 
caused my arrest, and forced me to escape to volun¬ 
teer to fight for America. Bah! ” 


CHAPTER XIV 


DICK HAS TWO SURPRISES 

“ Read this, Tommy,” and Dick tossed several 
sheets of paper, covered with German script, across 
to his lieutenant, “then tell me what you think 
about it.” 

It was toward the end of the first month of the 
new year and a few days after the return of the 
demobilized soldier, Friedrich Hoffman, to his 
paternal roof-tree. 

Tommy picked up the letter and pored over it 
with a puzzled look on his pleasant face. He 
turned it upside down and sideways and finally 
handed it back to Dick’s keeping. 

“ It’s a sad commentary on the waywardness of 
womankind, nor does it speak any too well for you, 
my boy,” he announced, solemnly, and shaking his 
head sadly. “ To tell the truth, Dick, I feel a little 
ashamed for you.” 

It was now Dick’s turn to look puzzled, for after 
giving the paper to Tommy he had remembered 
that the youngster knew but few German words 
187 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

and those recently acquired, while his knowledge 
of the written language was nil. 

“ Yes,” continued Tommy, in the same tone, “ if 
she had not written that epistle I might have be¬ 
lieved in her, but since she has taken up the study 
of the Turkish language, I can scarcely give any 
credence to the assertion she makes so frankly! 
No, if I were you, Dick, the best thing to do under 
the circumstances is to remember your position, 
renounce her suit and marry the other girl. In the 
first place, I believe she has not given her correct 
age; in the second place, she has altogether mis¬ 
represented her claims on you; and thirdly, the 
amount of her fortune, as stated by her, reads 
fishy.” 

“ What in the world are you talking about? ” ex¬ 
claimed Dick. “ At first I began to believe you 
understood what the note says, but now-” 

“ But now you are convinced of the fact, eh? ” 
interrupted Tommy, with a snigger. “ Why, Dick, 
I have as much knowledge as to the meaning of 
those hen scratches as a polar bear on an Arctic 
iceberg has of the relation existing between a trop¬ 
ical alligator pear and a Brazilian ant-eater, and 
that's going some, if ‘ X do be fer sayin’ of it me- 
self, as what shouldn't,’ to quote our old friend 
Mike.” 

“ My mind is greatly relieved, Tommy, and see- 
V 188 



DICK HAS TWO SURPRISES 

ing that you are so frank I'll read you the contents. 
It is addressed to me and this is what it says: 

“ ‘ Most Honored Sir:—Doubtless you have 
heard of the regrettable incident of recent date 
which occurred in my tavern, when in a moment of 
extreme tension I destroyed a photogravure of your 
honored president. However, my action was most 
properly belittled by a sergeant of your command, 
who destroyed a picture of the recent ruler of the 
German Empire, which was hanging on the wall 
near by. 

“ ‘ I have many times thought of apologizing to 
you for my unpardonable action, but age and in¬ 
firmity have till now prevented my so doing. I 
appreciate the previous kindness and consideration 
of the members of your command, and the loss of 
their patronage and the absence of their genial and 
gentlemanly presence from my place of business 
has saddened me immeasurably. I hope with the 
above restitution on my part that I may again have 
the honor of serving not only your men, but your¬ 
self and your officers, more frequently, and I prom¬ 
ise you every attention within my poor ability in 
order that I may reestablish myself in your favor.’ ” 

“ The old lady has sure kissed the Blarney 
Stone,” said Tommy at this point, “ but it’s easy 
to read between the lines—she wants the money 
that has been passing her door, and I imagine the 
loss of that touches her heart more than the insult 
to her precious Kaiser.” 


189 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

44 Wait a minute and listen, Tommy ; here is the 
really interesting pari,” and Dick continued read¬ 
ing: 

“ 4 While addressing you, Mein Herr Captain- 
Commandant, it may be of interest to you to know 
that one of the servants in your father’s household 
in the United States, Frieda Schilling, is none 
other than my blood sister. I would appreciate a 
visit from you in order that I may inquire as to her 
health, for since the war was declared I have re¬ 
ceived no word of her and naturally I am most anx¬ 
ious on her account.* The letter then closes with 
the usual assurances of consideration and regard, 
and is signed , 4 Minna Hoffman,’ ” ended Dick. 


44 Well,” began Tommy, and stopped to roll his 
eyes expressively and rub his stomach , 44 well, if the 
old hausfrau at the tavern can make gingerbread 
cookies anything like those turned out by your old 
cook Frieda, I’d almost be inclined to believe her 
story, accept her apology and cap the climax by 
sampling her food. What do you say, Dick? ” 
Dick was thoughtfully reading over again cer¬ 
tain portions of the letter, and waited a moment 
before he answered. 

44 Yes, if Frau Hoffman is half the cook her 
sister Frieda was, I’d almost be inclined to agree 
with you, but it’s mighty funny this letter of 
190 


DICK HAS TWO SURPRISES 


apology didn’t come along until after the return 
of that foxy-faced son of hers, and if the old lady 
knew all along that I knew her sister so well, it 
sure looks peculiar that she never made any attempt 
in all this time we have been here to inquire about 
her before. The letter and inquiry coming right 
now make me wonder still more where it is I have 
seen the precious Friedrich. I’m positive that he 
is really responsible for this apparent change of 
feeling. He wants his mother to gather in the 
shekels while the gathering is good and easy. It 
may be possible that this claim about relationship 
between the old lady and Frieda is all a hoax, but 
if so, how in the world did they find out that Frieda 
is working for my mother? Furthermore, I dis¬ 
tinctly remember that Frieda came from Cologne, 
though she did have relatives along the Rhine, too, 
because she used to get Ursula and me to tell her 
all about our summer over here, years before the 
war.” 

v “ So you still think that you have seen that fel¬ 
low Hoffman before, do you? ” queried Tommy. 

“ I don’t think—I know.” 

“ Well, what are you going to do about it? Are 
you going to pay a call on the old woman and es¬ 
tablish friendly relations?” 

“ Perhaps so, in a day or two,” answered Dick. 
“ It—the letter, I mean, doesn’t ring true. I want 
191 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

to think it over a bit and see if I can discover just 
what it is that makes me suspicious in the matter. 
After all, it may be nothing. By the way, Tommy, 
have you attended to the detail for the patrol to¬ 
night? If not, you’d better get busy for it is grow¬ 
ing late, son.” 

“ Aye, aye, sir, Mein Herr Captain-Command¬ 
ant,” came the reply, as Tommy rose and saluted 
in stiff German style. “ I’ll get the thing fixed up 
in no time, but Dick, if you make a deal for any 
gingerbread cookies, please remember my failings 
in that direction,” and out the youngster went into 
the crisp air to look up Sergeant Dorian. 

As Tommy emerged into the narrow street, his 
quick eye spied Old Mike approaching the house 
with a young woman hanging eagerly on either 
arm. The youthful officer stopped in amazement, 
rooted to the spot. 

“ Well, I’ll be jiggered,” he said, scratching his 
head in perplexity. “ I’ll have to inquire into this 
matter. Old Mike fraternizing with the enemy— 
and the most deadly sort of enemy at that—the 
females.” 

As the women with their escort approached, 
Tommy could hear the sound of voices and laugh¬ 
ter. He was now nearly speechless, for here was 
Dorian carrying on an animated conversation with 
two young women of this Rhineland village and to 
192 


DICK HAS TWO SURPRISES 

Tommy’s knowledge, up to the present time, Old 
Mike had disclaimed any proficiency in the German 
tongue whatsoever, and there was not a girl in the 
place who could carry on any but a most rudimen¬ 
tary talk in English. 

The next moment Tommy heard his own name 
called out by the two girls, as their voices came to 
him clear and true on the frosty air. 

“ Hi, Tommy! ” “ Hello, Tommy Turner! ” 

Tommy rubbed his eyes and pinched himself to 
see if he were really awake, then convinced that 
such was the case, the next moment he was running 
full tilt toward Ursula Comstock and Marie Faure, 
both of whom had now outdistanced the slower go¬ 
ing Dorian in their eagerness to meet the young 
officer at least half-way. 

“ Well, of all the best surprises in the world! ” 
exclaimed the boy as he reached them, nearly 
breathless. “ What are you doing in this neck of 
the woods, and how did you get here? How long 
are you going to stay, and did you come all this 
way alone, and—why, say, you are the last persons, 
but by far the most welcome ones my most vivid 
imagination could picture in this slow old burg. 
Gosh, but I’m glad to see you! ” 

“ I see you haven’t lost your faculty of asking 
more questions to the square inch than a five-year- 
old, Tommy; but the answer is easy. Father has 
i93 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

finished up his work in France, and he and Mother 
accompanied us as far as Coblenz. Both Ursula 
and I have been mustered out of the nurses’ corps 
and we are all on our way home.” 

“ Mr. and Mrs. Faure are still in Coblenz, and 
they-” began Ursula. 

“ They will be along to-night,” interjected 
Marie, who was bubbling over with gaiety. “ You 
see, we couldn’t wait, so the Commanding General 
was kind enough to send us up the river on one of 
the patrol boats, and-” 

“ Yes, and aren’t they just fine. Tommy? ” chat¬ 
tered Ursula. “ Who was it said that Marine Of¬ 
ficers never could or should command government 
vessels? It looks to me like a navy of our own with 
a Marine Officer in command and a full crew of 
marines manning those smart little craft. Our ma¬ 
rines seem to be able to do anything under the sun 
—but Tommy, never mind any more questions and 
answers now, we want to see Dick. Don’t we, 
Marie? ” 

“ Why, of course we do—that is what we came 
up for in such a hurry—I mean,” she corrected her¬ 
self as a rush of color suffused her pretty face, 
“ I mean, of course, to see him and you, Tommy 
dear, and Sergeant Dorian and all the rest, you 
know,” she finished rather vaguely. 

“ Yes, I know,” replied Tommy, dryly, and a, 
194 


DICK HAS TWO SURPRISES 


most undignified wink was exchanged between the 
youngster and Old Mike, who now stood by, beam¬ 
ing in the near background. 

“ Well, come on in then,” he continued. “ This 
is where he—we live.” 

Tommy flung open the door and motioned for 
the girls to step inside. Then going to the foot of 
the stairs he called out lustily: 

“ Hello, Captain Dick Comstock. You’re 
wanted down below at once, sir. On the double, 
skipper; there’s a heap of trouble brewing, and it 
needs you to straighten it out.” When he heard 
Dick’s response, as that officer came hurrying down 
the stairs, he went out quietly into the street, clos** 
ing the door gently behind him. 

A half-hour later Dick, Ursula and Marie were 
wending their way to the old tavern kept by Frau 
Hoffman, as the only caravansary in the village 
capable of affording the accommodations which 
would be required upon the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. 
Faure. 

“ The old gastwirtschaft is quiet,” Dick was say¬ 
ing, “ and also it is extremely neat. The only place 
here that is at all suitable for housing you comfort¬ 
ably during your visit.” 

“ And you said the old lady who runs the place 
is our Frieda’s sister? ” questioned Ursula. “ I can 
imagine how anxious she must be to get news of 
i95 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 

Frieda, if she has had no word since Uncle Sam 
declared war against Germany.’’ 

“ Well, as I told you, she makes that assertion,” 
said Dick. “ I was about to pay her a visit, for to¬ 
day I received a letter from her telling me of the 
relationship. What gets me is, why she waited 
such a long time before making inquiries. It seems 
rather remarkable to my way of thinking. Here 
we are,” and with that he opened the door and ush¬ 
ered the two girls into the low-ceiled, public room 
of the tavern. 

At this hour of the day there were but few 
patrons in the place. Frau Hoffman was nowhere 
in sight, but comfortably seated behind the small 
counter, with his feet resting higher than his head, 
in real Yankee style, was Friedrich Hoffman, the 
demobilized soldier. 

Observing the entrance of an American officer 
and two women, Friedrich aroused himself and ris¬ 
ing, slowly approached. Not until he was within a 
few feet of the newcomers did he recognize in Dick 
the American commander of the troops stationed 
in the village. Then his face assumed a smug, self- 
satisfied expression. 

“ Ha, the very straight-laced, unapproachable 
Captain keeps his soldiers away for a purpose—so 
that he may bring his lady friends here and not be 
disturbed by his underlings,” he thought to him- 
196 


DICK HAS TWO SURPRISES 

self. “ A nice story I can make of this. It won’t 
have to be invention, but the truth. I wonder what 
his commanding general would have to say if I 
should go to him with the tale? ” 

Aloud he said in German: 

“ Good-afternoon, Mein Herr Captain-Com¬ 
mandant ! In what way may I be of service to you, 
sir? ” and he bowed obsequiously. 

“ I desire accommodations for my sister and her 
friend, and also for her friend’s father and mother, 
who will be arriving later in the evening,” said 
Dick. 

“ Ah, I see; your sister, and—but I will call my 
mother; she will attend to your wants at once,” and 
with a skeptical look on his face, he disappeared in 
quest of Frau Hoffman. 

While Friedrich Hoffman was talking the light 
from the windows shone full on the German’s face, 
so that the girls could see him plainly while they 
were in the shadow, and as he turned away Marie, 
unable to contain her excitement over a discoveiy 
she had made, drew Ursula to one side and whis¬ 
pered in the older girl’s ear, while Dick in the mean¬ 
time was looking about the room. 

“ Ursula, did you recognize that man? It’s the 
soldier who called himself Doyle and who escaped 
from the hospital in Paris the day of the big parade 
on the Fourth of July. Don’t you remember? ” 
197 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

And right at that moment Frau Hoffman came 
bustling into the room, and with many expressions 
of hospitality she escorted her guests through the 
hall and up the stairs to their rooms talking volubly 
as she led the way. 


CHAPTER XV 


DICK FACES A FEW PllQBLEMS 

“ Ah, then it is true, you have known my sister 
Frieda for many years—since you were little chil¬ 
dren? ” 

Frau Hoffman’s face was beaming with pleasure 
as she asked the question. If Dick had entertained 
any doubts as to the truth that Frieda Schilling 
and Minna Hoffman, the owner of the gastwirt- 
schaft , were sisters, this stout old woman’s manner 
dispelled them at once and for all time. 

“ Yes, indeed,” Ursula replied. “ We would not 
know how to get along without Frieda. She is as 
firmly a part of the home as the house itself.” 

“ And she is well—she was not imprisoned be¬ 
cause she is German? ” 

“ Oh, no. Frieda is still at our home,” answered 
the girl. “ Furthermore she is as much an American 
as any member of the family.” 

“ I am glad to hear that she is well and safe, and 
—well, I suppose after all these years of absence 
from Germany she must have forgotten the ways 
of the Fatherland. Perhaps it is for the best. I do 
not know. It is too deep for me. Something must 
199 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , C7. #. M. C. 

have been wrong or God would not have permitted 
us to have failed otherwise,” and the old lady shook 
her head dolefully. 

“ And now, Fraulein, tell me how you like your 
rooms? And do you believe your father and 
mother, also, will like theirs? ” 

“Yes, everything is very nice indeed, but it is 
not my father and mother who are expected. It is 
Mr. and Mrs. Faure, the parents of my friend; 
however, I am quite certain that they, too, will be 
pleased with the accommodations fmonished.” 

“ The name Faure is French, is it not? Are 
your parents French, Fraulein? ” and now the old 
lady turned and addressed herself to Marie who 
had been conversing animatedly with Captain 
Dick. 

“ Yes and no, Frau Hoffman/’ replied Marie. 
“You see, they were born in Paris, but many years 
ago went to the United States to live and I was 
born in that country. My father is now a citizen 
there/’ 

“ America must indeed be a wonderful country,” 
said the old lady. “ The world emigrates there and 
soon the world becomes American. My son says 
it is even bigger than our German Empire, and as 
it took the Americans to win this war from us, I 
begin to believe they are truly a vast nation.” 

“ Then your son—he has been in the United 
200 


DICK FACES A FEW PROBLEMS 

States? ” questioned Dick, hoping by his queiy he 
might elicit some information which would give 
him the clue he sought regarding Friedrich’s 
identity, 

Frau Hoffman opened her mouth to answer, but 
just then a loud knock at the nearly closed door 
made her turn and stopped her reply. The door 
opened a few inches, just far enough to admit her 
son’s head. 

“ Pardon me, Mother, but you are wanted at 
once down-stairs,” he muttered gruffly, and Dick 
caught the venomous, ugly look the son gave the 
mother as she made her apologies and hurried 
away. 

After her departure Marie and Ursula ex¬ 
changed glances, for the appearance of Friedrich 
had recalled to their mind their previous discovery. 

“ Had we better tell Dick? ” asked Marie, as the 
sound of retreating footsteps ceased. 

“ Why, yes, I guess it’s all right and perhaps 
he ought to know about it anyway,” answered 
Ursula. 

“ What’s all this,” asked Dick, “ a deep secret? ” 

“ Oh, no, but you never could guess it, Dick. 
Could he, Ursula? ” 

“ No, I don’t believe that he could; but then, you 
must remember he really would have no reason to 
suspect anything of the kind.” 

201 


CAPTAIN. COMSTOCK , U . S. M. C. 

“ What in the world are you girls driving at? ” 

“ Why, it’s something we believe we should tell 
you,—that is, if you promise not to do anything 
to cause trouble, Dick. You see his mother would 
feel horribly if anything should happen now,” be¬ 
gan Marie. 

“ And besides, the war is really all over, and 
there would be no reason to do anything under those 
circumstances, and possibly Marie isn’t quite sure 
of him. It may be all a mistake. You see she isn’t 
absolutely certain as yet, Dick.” 

“ That is true, dear,” said Marie, turning to 
Ursula. “ I only saw him a few times. He wasn’t 
in my ward, you know.” 

Dick had stood about all he could. What could 
this momentous announcement possibly be? 

There was a man in it. Announcement! Man! 

Was Ursula—was Marie about to announce an 
engagement? 

“ Help! Help! ” he called in mock despair, and 
then as the full significance of his thought came to 
him, he sank to a chair limply, and tried to appear 
a calm, unexcited captain of marines, but his heart, 
for some reason which he could not quite fathom, 
was going at a much faster rate than usual, and his 
tongue seemed to cleave to the roof of his mouth 
in an uncomfortable manner. 


202 


DICK FACES A FEW PROBLEMS/ 

“ Marie, it is you—it is—please tell me the man’s 
name.” 

“ His name is Doyle,” came the answer. 

“ Doyle—not Reddy Doyle? ” and Dick was on 
his feet, indignant—protesting. 

44 Why, of course not Reddy Doyle, you big 
goose,” said Ursula. 44 You don’t know what his 
other name is, do you, Marie? ” 

44 No, I can’t remember,” came the answer from 
the girl. 

44 You mean to tell me,” blurted Dick, thoroughly 
obsessed with his own interpretation of the mean¬ 
ing of all this talk, 44 you mean to tell me that 
you—that you are engaged to some man and you 
don’t even know his name? ” 

44 Engaged? ” 

44 Who? ” 

44 What are you talking about, Dick? ” 

It was Ursula and Marie whose turn it was now 
to be astonished. 

44 Who is engaged? ” 

44 That’s what I want to know,” exclaimed Dick. 
44 Didn’t you say—oh, I don’t know what you did 

say now, but I thought-” and then his sister 

doubled up on the bed and Marie sank to the floor 
while both girls broke into such peals of laughter 
that Dick began to get alarmed and contemplated 
sending for the surgeon, fearing they would become 
203 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S . M. C. 

too hysterical for him to manage. He had forgot¬ 
ten a lot about girls since he had joined the marines. 

“ Oh, Dick, you’re so funny,” Ursula finally 
managed to gasp, and then off she went into an¬ 
other gale, while Marie sought for her handker¬ 
chief to dry the tears rolling down her cheeks. 

“ It’s so funny,” she repeated like a parrot. 

“ It may be funny when you’re on the inside,” 

announced Dick solemnly, “ but-” then he 

stopped and blushed, looking again at Marie as 
she rose and went to the window where she stood 
looking out at the crimsoning western sky, hoping 
the reflection might conceal her own heightened 
color. 

“ I’ll explain, Dick,” and Ursula, rising, went 
over to her brother and put her arm affectionately 
around his shoulder. “ You see, when we first came 
in the tavern a little while ago, it was very dim 
down there and the setting sun lit up the face of the 
man who, we have since learned, is Frau Hoff¬ 
man’s son, Friedrich. As soon as Marie saw him 
she immediately recognized him as the soldier who 
was in the hospital in Paris where we were work¬ 
ing. It was the man about whom there was so much 
talk and suspicion—the man called Doyle, who es¬ 
caped that morning the Marines paraded through 
the streets of the city after their great victory at 
Belleau Wood. You may remember we mentioned 
204 



DICK FACES A FEW PROBLEMS 


the matter when you came in to see Tommy Turner, 
after the parade was over.” 

Dick drew a long, long breath of relief. “ Yes, 
I remember,” he said, and then, as his thoughts 
again became collected, he added, “ By Jinks, I told 
Tommy I’d seen that foxy face somewhere before, 
but till now I couldn’t for the life of me place it. 
Didn’t you tell me that this fellow, Doyle, at first 
claimed to have fought at Belleau Wood and in my 
company? ” 

4 4 Yes, that is what he said before he went under 
ether for his operation.” 

“ It’s the same man. I know him now. Why, 
girls, that fellow is a regular skunk from Skunk- 
ville. He was with my company the first day of 
the fight at Belleau Wood. Reddy Doyle had him 
in tow as his runner. Reddy said he claimed to be 
a straggler from our Quartermaster’s Department, 
and that night, when we sent out a patrol to bag 
some Germans whom we heard out in front of us 
engaged in building a machine-gun nest, they were 
informed in some way before our men could sur¬ 
round them and they got away. The following 
morning when we made our first real advance 
across the wheat fields, we all thought that the 
enemy opposed to us at that point seemed to be 
unaccountably well posted as to our movements 
and they made us suffer heavily.” 

205 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

“ Then you think that he is a spy, Dick? ” 

“ Of course he is, or rather, was, but that isn’t 
all there is to it. During the night at the time I 
saw him it was altogether too dark for me to get a 
good look at his face, but I was sure the moment 
he stepped in my office, when he came back here 
claiming to be a demobilized soldier, that I had seen 
him before and now I remember. Friedrich Hoff¬ 
man was the sniper in the tree who shot and nearly 
killed Tommy Turner.” 

“ Why, how do you know that? Did you see 
him? ” 

“ Well, I ought to know,” Dick replied, mod¬ 
estly. “ You see, I happened to be near him and 
I shot him out of the tree just as he shot at Tommy, 
but after he fell to the ground I didn’t have time 
to see whether he was alive or not. I was too busy.” 

“ That is something you never told before,” re¬ 
marked Ursula admiringly, as she gave her brother 
another affectionate hug, “ but what will you do 
about the matter? Is there anything you can do? ” 

“ There is nothing that can be done now,” said 
Dick gloomily. “ It’s too late. The armistice is 
signed and according to the Rules of Land War¬ 
fare he is immune, but believe me. I’ll have Mr. 
Friedrich Hoffman-Doyle watched mighty closely 
from now on, and if we catch him at any under¬ 
hand tricks or sending any information outside the 
206 


DICK FACES A FEW PROBLEMS 


area we occupy to his friends in the German Army, 
we’ll get him.” 

44 But we thought a spy could always be shot if 
caught,” said Marie, who had so far been a silent 
listener, 44 and that is what we feared—that you 
would arrest him and then we would feel that we 
had been responsible if anything happened. You 
see, Dick, I wouldn’t mind, nor would Ursula 
either, if we were actually fighting the Germans, 
but the armistice seems about the same as a Treaty 
of Peace, and-” 

44 That doesn’t make the real difference,” said 
Dick. 44 This part of the proceedings is only a 
breathing spell, so to speak, and you can’t really tell 
which way 4 the cat will jump ’ in the end, although 
it looks as if there will be no more fighting. How¬ 
ever, this territory is under martial law—occupied 
territory, and if anyone is caught within our lines 
seeking to give out information as to our strength, 
disposition, material, and so forth, they can still be 
held as a spy. 

44 In Hoffman’s case the fact that he was acting 
as a spy in our lines months ago doesn’t count now. 
The regulations say 4 A spy who, after rejoining 
the army to which he belongs, is subsequently cap¬ 
tured by the enemy, is treated as a prisoner of war, 
and incurs no responsibility for his previous acts of 
espionage.’ This fellow, you see, did rejoin his 
207 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

army after he escaped from the Paris hospital, and 
now he really has been demobilized, according to the 
papers which he showed me the day he came back 
here” 

“ Isn’t it peculiar he should have called himself 
Doyle? ” said Ursula. 

“ Yes, it is rather, but—look here, we are for¬ 
getting to keep a weather-eye open for Mr. and 
Mrs. Faure all this time, so while you girls are 
resting up a bit, I’ll go down into the village and 
when they come I will bring them right up here.” 

As Dick went down the stairs his mind was full 
of the recent talk, and in his absorption he nearly 
collided with stout Frau Hoffman, making her 
waddling way along the lower hall. 

“ I see that you are going out, Mein Herr Cap¬ 
tain-Commandant,” said the old lady, trying to 
appear at her ease and most cordial. “ Why, let 
me see—you were asking me a question when I was 
called away so suddenly on business a short time 
since. Ah, yes, I remember now—it was whether 
my son had ever been in the United States or not. 
Yes, yes, that was it, and the answer is: No, Mein 
Herr, he has spent his entire lifetime in Germany. 
He is wholly German, sir. He cannot speak any 
language but his own—not even French, Mein 
Herr, and all during the war he fought in the Army 
of the Fatherland along the Russian border. He 
208 


DICK FACES A FEW PROBLEMS 

was glad that he did not have to fight against the 
Americans because, when the United States joined 
our enemies, he said he wished he could get out of 
the fighting, as in his heart he was no longer posi¬ 
tive that we—that Germany was in the right, 
and-” 

But Dick cut short any further volubility on the 
old lady’s part, and with a—“ Thank you for your 
information, Mein Frau,” he hastened past her. 

“ The poor old thing,” said Dick to himself. “ I 
guess friend Friedrich has been posting her, and the 
old lady is willing to tell any kind of a lie in order 
to protect her boy. Mothers are the same the world 
over, and I can’t help feeling sorry for her, because 
I believe the son is just a plain, ordinary scoundrel. 
But what worries me most is the connection between 
this man and Reddy Doyle. Why did Reddy con¬ 
ceal his knowledge of this Hoffman? He must 
have suspected the man. Where is the connecting 
link? It can’t be that Reddy was harboring him 
knowing him to be a spy, but just what is the mean¬ 
ing of it? Is there any connection between this 
man and the girl in Belgium whom Reddy was with 
that night I broke in upon them? I’ve some tall 
thinking ahead of me to get this all straightened 
out and to clear Reddy as I’d really like to do.” 


209 



CHAPTER XVI 


WHILE THE CAT IS AWAY 

For the next week, it must be confessed that the 
troops stationed in and about the little German vil¬ 
lage nestling on the banks of the Rhine a few 
kilometers south of Coblenz scarcely saw their com¬ 
pany commander, nor, as a rule, did they see much 
more of Tommy Turner. 

The reason being that in the few days left to Mr. 
and Mrs. Faure, Marie and Ursula, before their 
departure for Brest where they were to embark 
aboard one of the Army transports which would 
return them to the United States, much had to be 
accomplished in the way of sightseeing. Dick in¬ 
sisted that each day an excursion to some new 
point of interest must be undertaken and he gen¬ 
erally dragged Tommy along to round out the 
party. 

These little jaunts were a decided change for 
both youngsters, and as a result the succeeding days 
were long to he remembered because of the unal¬ 
loyed pleasure experienced by them all. 

The weather continued perfect. Walks, rides, 
motor trips, and an occasional journey up or down 
210 


WHILE THE CAT IS AWAY. 

the river in the trim, little patrol boats induced a 
laxity and forgetfulness which was deeply enjoyed. 
Past wars and the possibilities of future conflict 
alike were never thought of. 

Even the startling disclosures regarding the part 
played by Friedrich Hoffman were laid aside by 
Dick after the first night in his enjoyment of the 
presence of his sister and these old friends. 

Dick fully intended to interview Friedrich and 
take him to task regarding the discrepancies in the 
tale he had first told him, and that told him by Frau 
Hoffman, but the days slipped by and he had as 
yet done nothing. 

As a result Friedrich Hoffman began to feel 
very secure as to his position, and true to his nature 
he soon was in touch with certain men who were 
easily led, and thus had begun to form several 
friendships among the Americans. 

During this time, too, there were numerous 
changes taking place in the personnel of the com¬ 
pany. Many of the men who had been with the 
outfit since the beginning of the war were replaced 
by men from the camp back in Pontanezen, and one 
or two changes were made among the junior of¬ 
ficers. As is nearly always the case under such 
circumstances, especially when troops have become 
long familiar with local conditions and after a 
strenuous campaign, the excitement of and the in- 
211 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U . 5. C. 

terest in a new environment soon wears away, and 
there follows a slight decline in morale, especially 
among the newer elements. 

Frau Hoffman’s gastwirtschaft was now well N 
patronized. The older men seeing that their cap¬ 
tain and officers had become frequent visitors of 
the place soon forgot the incidents of the first days 
of their arrival, and as the methods employed by the 
old lady’s son were such as to make credit unlimited 
the tavern continued to grow in popularity. There 
is probably no class of individuals more susceptible 
to the lure of credit than the enlisted man, be he 
soldier, sailor or marine. 

It was remarkable how quickly Friedrich Hoff¬ 
man was “ picking up ” a knowledge of the English 
tongue. But to those who might have thought at 
all in regard"to the matter, their surprise was satis¬ 
fied when they found that he was continually con¬ 
sulting an old German-English dictionary or delv¬ 
ing among the pages of an equally antiquated 
grammar. Furthermore, he took every opportu¬ 
nity to join in conversations, and his funny expres¬ 
sions caused much merriment among his patrons. 
To a close observer it might have appeared that 
some of the remarks made by Friedrich had been 
studied out with care beforehand. 

Another peculiar thing was occurring—and that 
was nothing less than a repetition of the stories 
212 


WHILE THE CAT IS AW AT 


which had been rife among the men during the 
old days of the training area regarding Dick’s 
antipathy toward his former lieutenant, Percy 
Doyle. 

Late one afternoon, the last day of the Faures’ 
visit, the public room of the little tavern was well 
filled with marines of all ranks, as well as a goodly 
sprinkling of natives of the village. At a table in 
the center of the room Private Haskell, one of the 
recent men to join the company, was holding forth 
in louder tones than usual. 

“ But I tell you it’s true,” he had exclaimed, in 
evident desire to force home some previous state¬ 
ment. “ It’s true because I’ve seen it in writing.” 

“ In writing? ” questioned one of his auditors. 
“ How do you mean in writing? ” 

“ Why, in a letter, of course, you boob. A letter 
written to Doyle himself, and from a feller who 
went to school with both of ’em.” 

“ How in the world did you ever come to see such 
a letter as that? ” asked another. 

“ Never you mind how I come to see it, but I did, 
and this feller come right out and said that this here 
Captain Comstock actually played a low trick on 
Doyle.” 

“ Ah, say. Bo, that thing happened years and 
years ago, so what’s the good of bringing it up 
again. If Captain Dick ever did such a thing, and 

213 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

mind you, I don’t believe it in spite of your letter 
—I say, if he did do it when he was a kid, it’s no 
sign he’d do a stunt like that now. Why, he’s 
proved time and again to us and to everybody that 
knows him, that he’s a he-man through and through. 
What’s the idea anyway, in your telling such rotten 
tales? What’s your grudge? I can’t see.” 

“No, maybe you can’t, but then again maybe 
you ain’t never been soaked a court by him for doin’ 
nothin’, either, as I’ve been.” 

“ Do you mean because he punished you for be¬ 
ing under the influence of liquor the other evening 
and raising all that disturbance in your billet about 
midnight? ” 

“ That’s just what I mean, and besides he knows 
as well as I do that I wasn’t drunk. It’s only be¬ 
cause he don’t like me and because I had Friedrich 
Hoffman up there along with me that he awarded 
me that summary. 1 Hoffman told me as well as he 
could in his broken English that Captain Com¬ 
stock’s been layin’ for him ever since he came back 
here, merely because the poor devil was forced to 
fight against his will in the German army. Any¬ 
how Hoffman never fought against us Americans. 
He was over on the Russky side all the time. Ain’t 
that so, Friedrich? ” and the speaker called out to 
the ex-soldier, who was returning from a near-by 

1 Summary Court-Martial. 

214 


WHILE THE CAT IS AWAY 

table where he had been serving some of the other 
customers. 

“ Vat, dat is so? ” inquired Friedrich, as he 
paused with his tray held before him. 

“ I said, ain’t that true about .you never fighting 
against us—against the United States soldiers—the 
Yanks? ” 

“ Jah, I aind’t fight mit dem effert yet. I loave der 
Yank like a goot vun. I vould not neffer wid der 
American fight none.” 

“ See, I told you so,” and Haskell turned again 
to his audience. 

“ That’s not the story I heard,” said an old-timer, 
Corporal Breen, looking up at Friedrich inquir¬ 
ingly. “ The story I heard was that you told the 
Captain, the day you came here to report, that you 
fought against us at Belleau Wood, and that you 
were wounded there and after your recovery and 
release from the hospital you fought against the 
American Army in several other places.” 

“ I make vun bet, that your Captain iss much 
mad mit me, when he told such a gros mistake,” 
said Friedrich, a little hotly. “ It iss vun joke.” 

By now several men had joined the group, as the 
loud words had attracted general attention. 

“Joke nothing, you poor Dutchman! Captain 
Dick Comstock don’t joke about people like you, 
so you’d better watch your tongue or with your 
215 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C , 

newly-acquired English or lack of it, you’ll likely 
be hanging yourself some of these fine days.” 

“ For two cents I’d crown you good and plenty, 
you fresh dub.” 

The words were as clear, quick and concise as 
any Yankee boy in the big room could have spoken 
them, for Friedrich in his sudden flare of anger had 
forgotten entirely his former broken, halting 
method of speech. 

By the majority of men present the words would 
have passed unnoticed, the minority believed them 
merely another American expression the German 
had recently acquired from his intimate contact 
with the Marines, but not so Corporal Breen who 
had noticed the way Friedrich uttered the words, 
and had also seen the ugly look in the fellow’s eyes. 

In an instant Breen was on his feet. With a 
swift sweep of his left arm he had knocked the 
tray full of glasses and dishes out of Friedrich’s 
hands, and as they crashed to the floor, the ma¬ 
rine’s brawny right fist shot out, came in contact 
with the ex-soldier’s angry face with such force 
that he was sent staggering backward toward the 
little counter, behind which Frau Hoffman stood 
waving her fat arms futilely in the hope of attract¬ 
ing her son’s attention, for her quick intuition had 
told her that trouble was brewing in the air. 

The sprinkling of Germans in the room, not un- 
216 


WHILE THE CAT IS AWAY 

derstanding what had passed between the two men, 
immediately believed that their townsman had been 
assaulted for no cause whatever by the marine, and 
their rancor, never far beneath the surface, imme¬ 
diately burst forth. A stein came hurtling through 
the air aimed at Corporal Breen’s head, followed by 
another, and in a second more the public room of 
the old inn was a scene of wildness long to be re¬ 
membered. 

Glasses and dishes flew back and forth, striking 
the rafters overhead and shattering to the floor; 
tables were overturned, chairs were smashed. 
There was a rushing to and fro, as the Germans 
tried to join forces, and in the center of the room 
was an indescribable jumble of fists, long-stemmed 
pipes, arms, legs, bottles, table-cloths, human 
bodies, sore heads, Germans and marines. Shouts 
and roars, grunts and growls, curses and yells, and 
then a couple of pistol shots and another, while 
smoke and powder fumes filled the nostrils. 

Suddenly the outer door was flung open and into 
the fighting mass came two new actors—a flam¬ 
ing-haired captain of the U. S. Army and a 
heavily-built, powerful, Irish First Sergeant of 
Marines. 

Even above the din of battle the voices of these 
newcomers rose in stentorian tones. 

“Here, stop this fighting. Stand back there. 

217 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

Get out of here. Hey, you, let go that German’s 
whiskers.” 

“ Lay still, yer spalpeen, or I’ll be for landin’ 
of a stiff punch in yer bread-baskit. Take that, ye 
liver-faced Heinie, and be fer gettin’ to yer corner 
if ye know on which side yer bread’s buttered. Put 
up them guns, ye fools.” 

And as order was almost being fairly restored, 
came a rush of hobnailed shoes along the roadway 
and into the inn crowded a score of marines with the 
Officer of the Day, Lieutenant Hall, at their head. 

It did not take long to hustle the fighters out into 
the street and down in the direction of the guard¬ 
house, and just as the final combatant was escorted 
through the door, a very stout old German woman 
squeezed out from behind two large casks standing 
in a corner, wringing her hands and weeping in¬ 
consolably, as she gazed upon the scene of carnage. 

“ Where is my boy? Where is my little Fried¬ 
rich? He must be killed. They have murdered 
him. I am ruined. I am ruined,” she wailed. 

“ What’s she sayin’, sir? ” inquired Dorian of 
the army officer. 

“ She wants to know where her son is—her little 
boy.” 

“ Her little boy, indeed. Begorra, he was prob¬ 
ably at the bottom of the hull wurrks, but if he 
was here I didn’t see the scoundrel, did you, sir? ” 
218 


WHILE THE CAT IS AWAY 

“No, I didn’t see any little boy,” answered the 
officer. 

“ Little boy—I’m tellin’ yer, sir, he’s a grown 
man—a ex-soldier of that there German arrmy we 
was foightin’ a few weeks back; but speakin’ of 
foightin’. Captain, if I do be for sayin’ of it meself 
as what shouldn’t, I’m thinkin’ the two of us is a 
pretty loively pair when it comes to real action, 
sir.” 

“ Right-o, Mike,” came the smiling answer, as 
the Captain looked admiringly at the old non-com, 
“ but I guess we couldn’t have done much more if 
the guard hadn’t come along to the rescue when 
they did.” Then turning to the Officer of the Day 
he held out his hand and said, “ I am Captain 
Percy Doyle, Lieutenant, and I fought with this 
company of Marines at Belleau Wood.” 

“ I am pleased to meet you, Captain Doyle,” 
said Hall, taking the proffered hand, “ but I want 
to apologize for the reception your old company 
tendered you just now, and assure you that this is 
not a regular, every-day occurrence.” 

“ If it were,” said Reddy, “ I would have to make 
my calls on Dick Comstock in the future arrayed 
in football togs or a suit of armor,” and he gazed 
rather ruefully at the sleeves of his coat which were 
nearly torn from the shoulders and hanging by a 
few shreds. 


219 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C « 

“ Say, Capt’in, yer arrm’s bleedin’; didn’t ye 
know it?” exclaimed Mike, who now saw for the 
first time a streak of red tinging the white sleeve 
of Doyle’s shirt. “ Did ye get cut, sir? ” 

“ Oh, it’s nothing,” said Reddy, carelessly, never¬ 
theless pinching hard on his left arm above the el¬ 
bow. “ I believe one of those fool bullets grazed it 
when they were ricochetting around the room. It’s 
lucky no one was really injured.” Then turning 
to Lieutenant Hall he asked: 

“ Where is Captain Dick, Lieutenant? ” 

“ I’m expecting him back at any moment, sir. 
He left here early this morning with his sister and 
her friends to visit one of the old castles located 
a few kilometers up the river. They are leaving 
here to-morrow morning for Brest—his sister and 
friends are, I mean.” 

“ Miss Comstock—Ursula Comstock is here? ” 
queried Reddy. “ I surely will be glad to see her 
again. I’ve not seen Dick’s sister since the day 
he and I graduated from the old high school back 
home.” 

“ Then ye’ve a treat fer sore eyes ahead of ye, 
sir,” blurted Old Mike, forgetting himself in his en¬ 
thusiasm. “ Little Miss Marie is a hummer when 
it comes to looks, but ye’ll believe me when I tell 
ye that Miss Ursula with that light hair of hers, 
black eyebrows and lashes, and them bluest of blue 
220 


WHILE THE CAT IS AWAY 


eyes, has got ’em all left at the post, sir, and I 
haven’t been sailin’ all over this here globe all these 

years and not be for knowin’ what I’m-” 

“ And for that remark, Sergeant Mike Dorian, 
I’ll give you this,” came a happy, laughing voice, 
and the next moment two very red lips barely 
touched the veteran’s grizzled cheek; “you see, 
Captain Doyle,” continued Ursula, who with 
Marie and Mr. and Mrs. Faure had come quietly 
into the room in time to hear the sergeant’s eulogy, 
“ you see, Mike is so loyal to me that he would not 
dare say anything else,” and still laughing the tall 
girl held out her hand in greeting. 

“ I am glad indeed to see you, Miss Comstock, 
but regret that the years have made you forget that 
my name is just—Reddy.” 

“ Then I demand a corresponding recognition of 
my own first name, Reddy, and now let me intro¬ 
duce you to my friends.” 

But just as Ursula turned, Reddy Doyle sud¬ 
denly realized that the “ mere scratch ” on his arm 
was something more than he had believed it to be, 
for the loss of blood during this meeting had not 
been noticed, and right in the nick of time Mike 
Dorian caught him as he was swaying, and gently 
assisted him to a near-by chair, while he called 
quietly for a glass of water. In another moment 
Ursula had torn the first-aid packet from Dorian’s 
221 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

belt, and with Marie’s able assistance was deftly 
binding up the wounded arm. 

And this was the scene which greeted the unbe¬ 
lieving eyes of Dick and Tommy when they burst 
into the room a minute or two later. 


222 


CHAPTER XVII 


PRIVATE HASKELL CONFESSES 

The sudden blocking of the waning light from 
the doorway made both girls look in that direction 
and in the same breath exclaim: 

“ It’s Dick! ” 

“ What’s the trouble now? ” Dick asked, as he 
strode up to the group. “ Is someone hurt? ” 

“ Yes, Dick, it is Reddy Doyle,” answered 
Ursula. “ One of the bullets grazed his arm. He 
has lost quite a little blood and has fainted; but I 
cannot believe that this scratch, so to speak, is the 
real cause. We ought to have the doctor here at 
once.” 

“ Reddy Doyle? ” questioned Dick, wonderingly. 

“ He—here-” then turning to Tommy, who 

was standing at his elbow, “ On the double, 
Tommy, give Doctor Cathcart my compliments, 
and tell him to leave those men in the brig to the 
care of his apprentice and come up here at once,” 
and off dashed Tommy on his mission, while Dick 
silently lent his aid with the wounded man. 

By the time the surgeon had arrived, Doyle was 
recovering consciousness. The naval medical of- 
223 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

ficer attached to Dick’s company took one look at 
Reddy and ordered that he be put to bed at once. 

“ You were right, Miss Comstock, it is something 
more than that stray bullet. Captain Doyle has in 
some way opened up an old wound and he will 
need rest and quiet for some days to come. I won¬ 
der how he did it.” 

“ Bedad, Docther, ye’d not be wonderin’ about 
the matter at all, at all, had ye been in this here 
boardin’-house about fifteen minutes ago and seen 
the Capt’in in action, sir. The way he was 
a-slingin’ them fat Heinies around his head like as 
if they was injun clubs would ’a’ made ye sit up 
and take notice, I’m thinkin’,” volunteered Old 
Mike, and Reddy, in spite of his weakness, could 
not forego a faint smile at the sergeant’s evident 
pride in his prowess. 

“ I’ll see that Frau Hoffman prepares a room 
at once,” said Dick, as he hurried off in search of 
the old hausfraib. 

He found her sitting on the stairs leading to the 
upper floor of the inn, wiping her eyes on her calico 
apron and loudly lamenting her losses. 

“ Stop your crying, Frau Hoffman,” said Dick, 
feeling sorry indeed for the fat old lady. “ I will 
see that you are fully repaid for all the damage my 
men have caused, but now you must hasten and 
prepare a room for one of our officers who was 
224 


PRIVATE HASKELL CONFESSES 


wounded during the fracas. He is weak from loss 
of blood, caused by the opening of an old wound, 
and the surgeon orders that he be put to bed at 
once.” 

“ But Mein Herr Captain-Commandant, I have 
no vacant rooms in the house. Your sister and her 
friends and my Friedrich have the only guest rooms 
in the establishment, Mein Herr. I am sorry, but 
this is but a small tavern and-” 

“ Then your Friedrich must give up his room for 
to-night,” answered Dick authoritatively. “ We 
cannot wait. The officer must not be moved further 
than is absolutely necessary and by to-morrow 
night my sister and her friends will have left for 
France. Your son will be incommoded for one 
night only.” 

“ But he—Friedrich will be angry with me—he 
will not allow-” 

Dick waited to hear nothing further. “ Go and 
get the room in order immediately,” he said sternly, 
and this time the old woman knew there was no use 
offering further objections, she had lived in a mili¬ 
tary country too long to mistake that tone, so, turn¬ 
ing, she waddled up the stairs shaking her head and 
muttering to herself. 

By this time there was the sound of shuffling 
steps as along the passageway came the surgeon, 
Mr. Faure, Mike and Tommy carrying the patient. 

225 




CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

Dick himself lent a hand and even the two girls 
assisted them up the narrow stairway and until the 
door of Friedrich’s room was reached. Here they 
were met by Frau Hoffman, still looking very 
much worried and uncertain. She pointed silently 
to the spotless bed, the coverlid of which she had 
already turned down for its new occupant, and then 
retired to her room below. 

It was not long before Reddy was established 
between the clean sheets and feeling so fit that he 
tried to engage Dick in conversation while the 
doctor and his one assistant dressed the old wound 
properly and replaced the first-aid bandage, which 
Ursula and Marie had so deftly applied, with an¬ 
other and more suitable dressing. 

“ I say, Dick. I’ve not had a chance yet to tell 
you-” began the patient, then noticing the ex¬ 

pression of Dick’s face, as that young man turned 
from the window through which he had been gaz¬ 
ing, Reddy immediately knew that anything he had 
to say was not welcomed by this old schoolmate. 
He hesitated. After a short pause he began again, 
but this time the little life and spirit that had been 
in his voice and manner had changed unaccount¬ 
ably. 

“ I have not yet had the opportunity. Captain 
Comstock, to explain to you how it happens I am 
here in your town, but-” 


226 




PRIVATE HASKELL CONFESSES 

“ Pardon, Captain Doyle,”—it was the brisk 
voice of the surgeon interrupting—“ but all expla¬ 
nations must wait until to-morrow, sir. I must first 
see how you are in the morning and until then must 
forbid any conversation. I want you to get a good 
night’s rest, and I want that rest to start right 
now.” 

“ But Doctor, I must tell Dick-” began 

Reddy. 

“ Sorry, sir, it will have to wait,” and there was 
no denying the decisive words and manner as the 
doctor began putting away his instruments. A 
minute or two later he had quietly cleared the room, 
leaving Reddy alone in charge of the hospital corps- 
man. 

Outside in the hall he met Dick who had waited 
for him and explained that any further talk or ex¬ 
citement for the next few hours would be most dis¬ 
astrous to the patient and might result in a long 
sickness, whereas a good sleep would prove the best 
tonic in the world and serious complications might 
be avoided. 

Since Dick first recognized Doyle as he stepped 
through the doorway of the public room a half- 
hour before he had not directly addressed his old- 
time schoolmate. At the sight of him there arose in 
the mind’s eye of the marine officer the last time 
he and Reddy had been together. All too clearly 
227 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

he recalled the bitter, accusing words of this old 
rival, and those words cut as deeply now as they did 
at the time they were uttered. 

In quick succession the rest of that long indict¬ 
ment which he had builded during the past months 
followed. He recalled the night at the little 
Belgian village; the struggle in the home of Mon¬ 
sieur Flammeau; the escape of Suzette’s assailant 
over the high wall in rear of the house; the papers 
which he had picked up addressed to Reddy Doyle; 
the fact of Doyle’s company being but a few 
kilometers distant and the presence of some of his 
men in the town, and then, too, there was the matter 
of the German spy whom Reddy vouched for dur¬ 
ing that first night of the fighting near Belleau 
Wood or the Bois de la Brigade de Marine as it 
was now called. 

All these things had passed in unbidden review, 
as Dick stood watching his sister and Marie so 
gently ministering to the needs of the wounded 
man. How he hated to see these two girls even 
touch him, let alone display so much solicitude as 
to his welfare. He felt it was almost sacrilege to 
allow them to keep on in their humane work, know¬ 
ing as he did all these unexplained accusations. 
True he also remembered the message Dorian had 
delivered from Reddy after the fight in which he 
had been knocked out, but he believed it was all 
228 


PRIVATE HASKELL CONFESSES 

sarcasm on Doyle’s part and he even resented 
Mike’s recent encomiums of Doyle’s prowess. 

For years Dick had given Reddy the benefit of 
every doubt, and even with the knowledge of the 
things he now possessed he had tried hard to find 
excuses—some mitigating circumstances, in Doyle’s 
favor, but the account was too much for him to 
strike an even balance. 

It was a great relief to him, therefore, when the 
surgeon insisted on installing a hospital corpsman 
as nurse after kindly refusing the offers of both the 
girls to take charge of the patient. It was while 
he was going over all this in his mind that Ursula’s 
voice interrupted his deep reverie. 

“ Why so solemn, Dickie dear? ” she said as she 
hooked her arm in his and steered him into the 
small room which did duty as a parlor in the suite 
occupied by Frau Hoffman’s guests. “ Cheer up, 
old boy; you look as if you’d lost your very best 
friend in the world. Reddy will be all right in a 
day or two or three.” 

“ Doyle’s condition isn’t worrying me,” replied 
Dick, rather gloomily. 

“ Oh, never mind him, Ursula. He’s been glum 
all day,” remarked Tommy, who had risen as the 
two entered the room. “ Don’t bother about him, 
I say. Besides, I’m getting jealous. No one seems 
to take any notice of how serious I’ve been myself, 
229 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

and who could help not being so with all of you 
leaving at noon to-morrow. Gosh—I’d give a lot 
to be going along, too. I’ll bet it’s some fine back 
home right now—skating and sleighing, and Moth¬ 
er’s mince pies,—why, I’d turn back handspring’s 
from here to Berlin just to be able to tackle some 
real, New England-cooked corned-beef and cab¬ 
bage, and I’ve seen the time when Dad used to 
threaten me with dire punishment if I did not clean 
up my plate when we had a 4 boiled dinner,’ I hated 
it so. But when you say baked beans—boy— 
there’s where I’d shine. U-mm-mm-h! ” 

“Listen to him, Ursula,” said Marie; “why, I 
can easily recall a time in Paris not so long ago 
when Tommy had a hard time convincing the doc¬ 
tors and everybody else within hearing that his only 
desire in life was to remain in Europe forever. In 
fact they tried their best to drive him aboard 
a homeward bound transport but without suc¬ 
cess.” 

“ Ah, that’s a horse of another color,” defended 
Tommy. “ At that time we needed men—fighting 
men on this side of the pond, so what was the sense 
in sending a well man home just to bring him back 
again later on? Now you see it’s slower and dead¬ 
lier than a spiritualistic summer camp meeting and 
not a single chance of it getting anything but worse 
in the future. It’s deadly.” 

230 


PRIVATE HASKELL CONFESSES 

“ What would you say, youngster, if I told you 
that I have your commanding general’s authority 
in my pocket at this very moment, which orders 
you back to the United States?” questioned Mr. 
Faure, with an air of seriousness, as he reached in¬ 
side the breast pocket of his coat and then hesitated 
before withdrawing his hand. 

Tommy’s face was a study. He flushed and 
stammered as he looked appealingly about the 
room. 

“ Why,—I’d-” he swallowed a lump in his 

throat and began again. “ Why, I’d—I’d—I’d 
ask the—the general, sir, to please—to please not— 
let you take that hand out, sir.” 

Everyone, of course, laughed heartily and Mr. 
Faure, withdrawing his hand empty, stated: 

“ Cheer up, young man. I have not any such 
order with me, but if you want to go, my boy, just 
say the word, and-” 

“ On second thought, sir,—on second thought, I 
believe I’d rather just sort of stick it out until I’m 
sure the party’s all over, and that there isn’t any 
more pie, sir.” 

“ Could you really have it fixed, Father? ” ques¬ 
tioned Marie, turning eagerly to her parent. 

“ I really could, my dear, and if I believed that 
either Dick or Tommy would have appreciated 
such a step I might have arranged it, but I feared 
231 




CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 

I would not have been thanked for my trouble 
should either of them have found me out.” 

“ And you could fix it for Dick to go also, did 
you say? ” and this time Marie dropped her glance 
to the floor and then her big eyes slyly stole a look 
at Dick's face, but there was no time for Mr. Faure 
to answer her question as both Dick and Tommy 
immediately had questions to ask that were far re¬ 
moved from home-going transports, and thus the 
trend of the conversation was safely steered into 
other channels. A little later the party broke up, 
leaving the two young men to go to their quarters 
and prepare for the supper to which they had been 
invited by the departing guests. 

On descending to the public room of the tavern 
they found that a police party from the company 
had nearly restored the place to its former state of 
orderliness. Nearly all evidence of the recent 
fracas had disappeared and a few patrons were 
again gathering about the tables to discuss in low 
tones the events of the afternoon. 

s 

On his way to the door Dick paused a moment 
to speak to the old landlady. 

“ I wish you would tell your son to report to me 
at my office at once, Frau Hoffman, and have him 
bring with him the bill for the damage my men 
have done,” he said. 

“ My Friedrich, he is not here, sir Captain. No 
23 2 


PRIVATE HASKELL CONFESSES 


one has seen him since the trouble. He is not 
among those arrested and I am terribly worried and 
anxious. Who knows, he may have been wounded 
and wandered away. Possibly he is even now in 
need of assistance. Oh, what am I going to do? ” 
and the old lady began another spell of weeping 
and lamentation. 

Feeling decidedly awkward, Dick excused him¬ 
self as soon as it was possible and hastened to his 
quarters where he immediately began an investiga¬ 
tion into the causes leading to the fighting. After 
lengthy interviews with civilians as well as with his 
own men he could draw but one conclusion—that 
the real instigator of the row was none other 
than the landlady’s son, and it was undoubtedly 
the fear of some drastic action being taken 
against him which caused Friedrich’s present 
absence. 

Dick also found out that many men of the com¬ 
pany had been allowed to run up large bills in the 
tavern—“ jaw bone ” it is called in the service— 
and this, too, caused him much annoyance, for in the 
official report he would have to write it could not 
help but appear that he, Dick Comstock, had failed 
miserably in the smooth management of affairs 
within his designated area. It was a sad blow to 
his pride because up to now he felt that he had 
good reason to be quite elated over the conduct of 
233 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U . S. M. C 

his men and his own administration of things in 
general. 

“ In case Friedrich Hoffman returns he is to be 
arrested and brought to me at once,” he told the 
Officer of the Day, 44 and I want you to have a 
thorough search made for him immediately in the 
village and vicinity” 

Even as he finished giving the order there was 
the sound of loud talking outside the door. A 
knock followed and in strode First Sergeant Dor¬ 
ian, holding by the collar of his coat a cowering 
marine, and one whom the old sergeant had been 
handling none too gently if the fellow’s appearance 
was an index of what he had passed through. 

44 Here’s a bit of ewydence that’ll be for throwin’ 
some loight on the matter, sir, but fer the life of me 
I can’t be say in’ if it clears up anny thing,” an¬ 
nounced Mike. Then giving his prisoner a shake, 
he said: 44 Now speak up, ye shnake in m’rine’s 
clothin’ and tell the Capt’in what ye know, and be- 
dad, ye’d better be for tellin’ of it mighty straight, 
I’m advisin’.” 

It was apparent that Mike was pretty much ex¬ 
cited, for his manner in the presence of Dick and 
the Officer of the Day was far from that military 
control for which the old fellow was noted, but it 
was forceful and effective to say the least. But it 
was only for a moment or so that Mike lost his 
234 


PRIVATE HASKELL CONFESSES 


head, for suddenly he realized the situation and 
dropping his hold from the man’s collar he came to 
attention and reported. 

“ This here man is Private Haskell, sir, who re¬ 
cently j’ined from the replacement camp at Brest. 
I found out to-day, sir, that this afternoon this man 

was repeating a lot of stories about-” 

Dorian stopped. Then he opened his mouth to 
speak, but no sound came from his lips. 

“ About what, Sergeant? ” questioned Dick. 

Old Mike looked up at the ceiling, down at the 
floor, everywhere but in Captain Dick’s face. Lit¬ 
tle drops and beads of perspiration began to stand 
out on his forehead as he endeavored to find the 
words he wished to use. 

“ Why, sir,—stories about—about Captain 
Doyle and yerself, sir.” 

“.Well, what were the stories? ” 

“ Just a pack of lies, sir. All the old men of the 
company knows that, Misther Dick, and it seems 
that this here Haskell was tellin’ of ’em at the gast - 

wirtschaft this afternoon and-” 

“But what were the stories—these lies?” per¬ 
sisted Dick, interrupting. 

“ Oh, they weren’t nothin’ at all, sir,” replied the 

ill-at-ease sergeant. “ Nothin’ at all, sir, so-” 

“ Sergeant Dorian,” interrupted Dick again, but 
kindly, “ I must know these stories or lies as you 
235 





CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

call them, if I am to act in an intelligent manner in 
any report you have to make against Private Has¬ 
kell, consequently you will have to tell me them at 
once or else I will have to dismiss the case.” 

It was hard work for Old Mike, but he was a sol¬ 
dier through and through and never had been 
known to shirk his duty nor disobey an order from 
his superior, thereupon he briefly related the tales 
which had circulated soon after Doyle had joined 
Dick’s company nearly a year before and which 
were being retold by Haskell. 

During the recital Dick listened attentively, but 
it was a trying fifteen minutes for all those present 
in the office. When Mike finished Dick began 
questioning the slouchy looking marine. 

“ Where did you tell the First Sergeant you 
heard these stories? ” 

“ I heard them first from Friedrich Hoffman, 
sir,” came the answer. 

“ Do you speak German? ” 

“ No, sir, Hoffman talked to me in English.” 

“ Where did he state that he had heard them? ” 

“ He said he knew Captain Doyle years ago 
when the Captain used to make business trips to 
Germany, and that when he was demobilized he 
had gone to Cologne where he met the Captain 
again, and on telling him that he, Hoffman, was 
returning to this town, Captain Doyle warned him 
236 


PRIVATE HASKELL CONFESSES 


to look out for you, sir,” answered Haskell, who, 
now that Dorian’s heavy hand no longer squeezed 
at his neck, was beginning to recover some of his 
erstwhile braggadocio and insolence. 

“ Why did you repeat these stories on the 
strength of what an enemy told you? ” 

“ Well—I—er-” 

“ Speak up and tell the Capt’in what ye told 
me,” and Dorian’s look and words had their effect. 

“ I was paid for doing it,” he said, in a low 
whimpering tone. 

“ How were you paid? ” 

“ I didn’t have to pay for anything I got at the 
tavern.” 

“ If the Capt’in will be allowin’ me to speak, sir, 
I kin tell ye the whole story in a nutshell,” said 
Dorian, and with Dick’s nod of acquiescence he 
continued. 

“ It was like this, sir. This man Haskell has 
been gettin’ all his dhrinks and chow at the tavern 
fer nothin’ and also acted as a runner fer the place. 
On his part he began spreadin’ these here stories, 
sir, in order to undermine yer authority in the vil¬ 
lage and among the men. He was up to some of 
his dirty wurrk this afternoon, and one of the old- 
timers in the comp’ny called him for it, and then 
Haskell called on this here Heinie, Hoffman, to 
back him up, and that’s where the foight started. 

237 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, V . S.M. C. 

But that isn’t all the story, sir. Durin’ the foight 
Hoffman and Haskell sneak out the back door and 
make their getaway. They beat it down the alley 
to the comp’ny quarters to talk matters over and 
Hoffman tells him he wants to get away and asks 
him to loan him some of his uniforms and offered 
him fifty dollars fer a suit, but as he didn’t have the 
money to give Haskell, Haskell refused and just 
about then they heard the men coming back to the 
quarters and Hoffman ran off. Haskell also states 
that Hoffman claims now that he is not a German, 
that he’s an American soldier, and that he kin talk 
English as good as annybody in the outfit.” 

“ Is this true? ” inquired Dick of the private. 

“ Yes, sir, that’s the whole truth,” came the 
reply. 

“ I’ll continue this investigation in the morning. 
Sergeant, and in the meantime Private Haskell 
will be restricted to his quarters until I send for 
him,” and rising, Dick left the office and went up¬ 
stairs to his room, where Tommy had preceded him 
and was already getting ready to attend this last 
dinner party with Ursula and the Faures. 

As Dick, too, began cleaning up after a few 
words with his friend, he suddenly bethought him¬ 
self of the letters which he had picked up on that 
memorable night in Belgium. Going to his desk 
he unlocked a small drawer and drew them forth, 
238 


PRIVATE HASKELL CONFESSES 

then sitting down read them from beginning to 
end. 

“ So Reddy and Friedrich Hoffman knew one 
another before this war broke out, did they? 
Hu-u-m-ph! And that is why Doyle was protecting 
this German the night before the battle began at 
Belleau Wood,—I’ll say this is a difficult skein to 

unravel. I wish-■” but he got no further in his 

musings, for at that moment clear on the frosty air 
there came borne to his ears the barking of a Colt’s 
automatic pistol and then the unmistakable crack- 
crack-crack-crack-crack of a Springfield rifle as the 
bullets from a clip of cartridges voiced in rapid suc¬ 
cession their answering challenge. 


*39 



CHAPTER XVIII 


MIKE MISSES THE TAEGET 

When Corporal Breen’s fist came in contact 
with the nose of Friedrich Hoffman at the begin¬ 
ning of the fight in the gastmrtschaft the blow 
sent the German staggering backward toward the 
door leading out of the room to the rear of the 
house. As Hoffman scrambled to his feet he made 
a dive for this door, and in doing so bumped into 
Private Haskell who was crawling on his hands 
and knees from the midst of the struggling mass 
of marines and Germans. 

“ Come on, let’s get out of this mess in a hurry,” 
said the German. 

Together they clambered through the opening 
and closed the door after them. Making their way 
down the passage into the enclosure at the back, 
they paused for a moment to catch their breath. 

“ The guard and the rest of the company will 
be coming up in a minute; we had better get away 
from here,” said Friedrich, while they listened to 
the muffled sounds of conflict coming from the front 
of the building. “ I gave myself away when I 
forgot I was supposed not to know English, and 
240 





“I Have Come for Some Money” 






































































































































































• 

















































































































































































MIKE MISSES THE TARGET 


that Corporal Breen will not forget it either. I’ve 
got to heat it to the tall timber, else they’ll put me 
in the jug.” 

“ How can they put you in the jug for that? ” 

“ Well, I guess I’m still classed as a deserter,” 
was the surprising reply. * 

“ What do you intend to do? ” asked Haskell, 
not fully understanding Hoffman’s remark. 

“ Don’t know yet, but it’s not safe for me to be 
roaming around the countiy without some sort of 
a uniform on. Come on down to your quarters 
and fit me out. I’ll pay you and no one will see 
us if we hasten.” 

As Haskell was about to step around the corner 
of the tavern, Hoffman pulled him back and 
pointed down the street toward two men approach¬ 
ing on the run. 

“ Look out, here come some of them now. It’s 
Dorian and an officer—an army officer. Come on 
—hustle!” and without further stopping they 
started running down the lane, keeping under cover 
from observation as much as possible. 

Arriving at the building, a good sized storehouse, 
in which Haskell and over half of the company had 
their billets, they found the place empty as Hoff¬ 
man had predicted. 

It took but a few moments for them to select a 
coat here, a pair of trousers there, leggins, overseas 

241 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C* 

cap, shoes and khaki shirt. Then as they were 
about to leave another thought came to the Ger¬ 
man’s mind. 

“ Look here, Haskell, break into the gun locker 
and snitch me a Colt’s and some ammunition. No 
one will see you.” 

“ Not on your life. Bo,” answered the wary 
Haskell. 

“ Twenty dollars now and twenty more to-night 
when I can come back after dark without being 
discovered and get at my funds,” said Hoffman, 
and he held out a flat package of small denomina¬ 
tion United States bank notes. “ Come on, Has¬ 
kell, do me a good turn. You’ll not be sorry. It’s 
safe enough, but you’ll have to hurry if you want 
to get these iron men.” 

Haskell’s cupidity was too much for his caution. 
“ I’ll meet you as soon as possible over in the de¬ 
serted barn where the gang used to get together 
sometimes. You had better go on over there now 
and shift your clothes,” he said, and then disap¬ 
peared in the direction of the company armory. 

The armory and the guard quarters of the com¬ 
pany were in the same building and Haskell ap¬ 
proached it warily, knowing that some member of 
the guard would be on duty, and he did not wish 
to be seen in the vicinity for fear his name would 
be brought up when the theft of the pistol should 
242 


MIKE MISSES THE TARGET 


be discovered. He was right in his surmise, for 
the guard was standing near the front door but 
gazing interestedly up the street in the direction 
of the inn. 

Making his way to the rear entrance Haskell 
was soon inside the room where the pistols pot in 
actual use were kept locked in a stout chest secured 
by hasp and padlock. Grabbing a bayonet from 
its scabbard hanging to a rack placed against the 
wall he inserted the point beneath the hasp and with 
a quick wrench tried to draw forth the staples. 
The first effort slightly loosened the hasp. The 
second broke the blade of the weapon across its 
center, but this gave him in reality a stouter and 
more effective jimmy. The third trial was suc¬ 
cessful and hastily raising the lid of the box he 
selected the first weapon he saw and slipped two 
extra clips of cartridges into his pocket. 

From up the street came the sound of footsteps 
and voices. He had no time to lose. Sliding the 
pistol under his coat and inside his trousers-belt, 
he replaced the lid, turned the box around so that 
the broken lock was toward the wall, and silently 
made his way out as he had come. 

To go directly to the rendezvous from the guard¬ 
house would expose him to the view of the men re¬ 
turning from the inn. It would be the safer course 
to first go to his company billet, pass through the 
243 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

building and then by a side door reach the alley-* 
way in rear. He had no thought that he himself 
was liable to be arrested, and was greatly surprised 
when, on entering the large room, one of the men 
who occupied a bunk near the door hailed him. 

“ I say, Haskell, the O. D.’s lookin’ for you.” 

“ What does he want of me? ” 

“ Dunno, feller, but I just heard him talkin’ 
with Corporal Breen, and he said to bring you to 
the brig if you was in your quarters. The Ser¬ 
geant of the guard’s coming back here just as soon 
as he locks up the men who were fightin’ up to the 
inn. What’s the matter? Wasn’t you around 
when the company turned out a bit ago? There’s 
the deuce to pay! Big row up to Hoffman’s joint 
between some of our men and a bunch of these here 
square heads. You’d oughter been there to see it. 
I got there-” 

But his listener waited to hear no more. He 
hastened across the room, stepped outside and al¬ 
most into the arms of Corporal Breen. 

“ You’re wanted down at the guard-house, 
Haskell,” announced the corporal. “ I’m wanted 
myself, so I’ll go along with you.” 

For the fraction of a second Private Haskell was 
at a loss as to what he should do. If he was to be 
arrested and put in the brig, the pistol and am¬ 
munition which he had on his person was sure to 
244 



MIKE MISSES THE TARGET 

be discovered when he was searched as a prelimi¬ 
nary to his incarceration. It was absolutely neces¬ 
sary to first get rid of this evidence of his theft. 

“ Be with you in just a second/’ he said, and 
turned back into the quarters. 

It was no easy thing to secretly slip the car¬ 
tridges and pistol under his pillow without being 
observed, for by now the room was filling up with 
occupants, but he accomplished it successfully and 
a second or two later was on his way to report, 
with Breen walking by his side. 

Arriving at the guard-house it was some time 
before he was called in to be interrogated by the 
officer of the day and when he did finally appear 
it was a very much perturbed young man who 
stood at attention before his superior and answered 
the searching questions put to him. 

In the meantime Mike Dorian had returned and 
was listening to Haskell’s answers with interest, 
and finally when the private was dismissed Mike 
followed him out of the room. Out in the hallway 
the old sergeant’s heavy hand fell suddenly on 
Haskell’s shoulder. 

“ Not so fast, me buck,” and Haskell found him¬ 
self twirled about so rapidly, and face to face with 
the sergeant, that his head was dizzy. “ Now ye 
tell me in a hurry all ye know about this here foight 
—and mind ye, no lies or I’ll be lambastin’ ye/’ and 
245 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , V . 5. M. C< 

this time Haskell told a tale which if not strictly; 
the truth passed muster and which he hoped 
would at last let him free. But in this he was mis¬ 
taken, for by now Captain Dick had begun his 
investigation, and, as we have seen, Haskell was 
sent to his quarters to remain there until further 
notice. 

It was therefore nearly dark before he had an 
opportunity to slip out unobserved to carry out his 
promise to Friedrich Hoffman, impatiently await¬ 
ing him in the deserted barn. 

“ I began to think you never were going to get 
here,” said Hoffman, angrily. “ Have you brought 
the gun? ” 

“ I came near not getting here,” answered the 
marine surlily. “ If I didn’t need that money 
mighty bad to send to my mother back home, I 
never would have chanced it.” 

“ Tell me what happened,” said Hoffman, a little 
mollified. 

Thereupon Haskell related what had occurred. 
When he ended Hoffman said: 

“And there is another reason why I can’t hang 
around this dump any longer in safety. By the 
way, here is the twenty dollars. I’ll give you the 
rest when I have made a visit to the inn a little 
later; after things quiet down a bit around the 
place.” 


246 


MIKE MISSES THE TARGET 


Haskell took the money, counted it carefully and 
stowed it away in his coat pocket before he inquired: 
“Another reason? And what’s that? ” 

“ Well, I happen to know that red-headed army 
officer who came running up to the inn with the 
Top, and he knows me too, and would hang me 
higher than a kite if he got the chance! ” 

“ Where’d you ever know him? What’s his 
name? ” 

“ His name is Doyle. He’s the guy I’ve been 
telling you about. The one who used to be a 
lieutenant in this company and licked your pre¬ 
cious Captain. I used to be employed in the 
Athletic Club to which this man Doyle belonged in 
‘ little Ole N’York,’ and he’d recognize me right 
off the bat. You see I lived in the United States 
for about ten years before the war began—in fact 
I’m an American citizen.” 

“You are!” exclaimed Haskell. “Why, I 
thought you were a German and when you spoke of 
deserting, a little while ago, I thought you meant 
deserting from the German army. Say, I guess I 
told the Captain the truth and didn’t know it, when 
I said you was an American.” 

“ I would have been in the German army if it 
hadn’t been for this same Dick Comstock’s father. 
It’s too long a story to tell you now, but his old man 
is one of those blundering fool war committees of 
247 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U . 5. M. C. 

some kind in New York, and when I appeared be^ 
fore him on being drafted and tried to prove to him 
that I couldn’t go to war, he investigated and re¬ 
ported adversely on my case. He nearly had me 
put in jail. 

“ If I had not enlisted right when I did I would 
have been sent to one of the internment camps as a 
spy. It was a case of choosing the better of two 
evils. Naturally I was not going to fight my own 
people, so when I got over here I deserted as soon 
as I could and joined the army of the Fatherland.” 

“So that’s why you’ve got it in for Captain 
Dick, eh? ” questioned Haskell, rising from the box 
on which he had been sitting and lazily stretching 
himself. 

“ Oh, that is not all,” grumbled Hoffman, 
clumsily re-rolling one of his puttee leggings over 
which he had been laboring when Haskell entered 
the barn. “ Dick Comstock almost killed me in 
Belleau Wood during the fighting there. I had 
thrown up my hands in surrender, but he plugged 
me just the same. They can talk about dirty Ger¬ 
man tactics all they want, but that’s about as low 
down a trick a man can play, to shoot a fellow after 
he has thrown down his gun, and that is what your 
honorable Captain did to me—shooting a defense¬ 
less man, and-” 

Friedrich tucked in the tape at the top of the 
248 



MIKE MISSES THE TARGET 


spiral and straightened up to finish his sentence. 
In the meantime Haskell had edged a little closer 
to him, and just as Hoffman turned he saw the 
marine make a sudden lunge to secure the Colt’s 
pistol lying on the top of the German’s discarded 
pile of clothing. 

Friedrich Hoffman never completed what he was 
about to say, but with a catlike spring he violently 
pushed Haskell to one side and seizing the pistol 
in his right hand he brought it down with a sicken¬ 
ing thud on his opponent’s head, just as Haskell 
had partly recovered his balance and made another 
lunge to secure the weapon. 

With a crash the American fell to the dirt floor 
of the barn bleeding and unconscious from an ugly 
wound on his temple. 

“ Schwinehund ” muttered the German, “ meant 
to do me dirt too, did he? I believe my telling him 
the truth for once made him decide to arrest me 
himself. Humph—guess I’ll have to hand it to 
him, after all. He did have some patriotism, the 
dog.” 

He now turned the body over violently with his 
foot, and bending over it in the dimming light be¬ 
gan muttering again: 

“ His sudden spurt will do him little good now, 
and there will be one less interfering Yankee on 
this side of the Rhine in a few minutes, I guess. 

249 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

Well, Friend Haskell, you won’t need that money 
where you’re going,” and with the words he took 
from the marine’s coat pocket the twenty dollars 
which a few minutes before he had paid over. Next 
he removed the identification tag from Haskell’s 
neck, gathered up the few valuables still remaining 
in the pockets of his victim, and after covering the 
dying man with the old clothing and concealing all 
with loose hay from a pile near by, he cautiously 
made his way out of the barn and disappeared into 
the shadows of the near-by wood. 

Less than fifteen minutes later as Frau Hoffman 
was preparing dinner for her guests, she was 
startled by a scratching sound at one of her kitchen 
windows. Upon looking up she saw the face of 
her son, his eyes staring at her through the glass. 
The old lady nearly dropped the spoon with which 
she was basting the roast. Silently the man outside 
signalled her to be cautious, and made further signs 
that she should open the door for him. 

With beating heart she waddled to the door, un¬ 
fastened the latch and the next moment Friedrich 
had entered, quickly closing and locking the portal 
behind him. 

Drawing the old lady to a dim corner of the 
kitchen out of range of the windows he whispered 
hoarsely: “ Tell me all that has occurred.” Rapidly 
she related the events of which he was not cognizant. 

250 


MIKE MISSES THE TARGET 


“And Friedrich, that beast of a Captain-Com¬ 
mandant ordered me to put the wounded officer in 
your bed, and though I told him you must have 
your room he would not listen.” 

“ Never mind that, now. I must leave here at 
once. I have come for some money. Give me all 
you have. I will need it to effect my escape. I 
must cross the river to-night.” 

At this Frau Hoffman began to weep again, but 
her son shook her with no gentle hand. 

“ Stop that or someone will hear you. Get the 
money right away. I tell you that every minute I 
stay here increases the danger and decreases my 
chances of escape. It will be difficult to pass the 
river patrol even now.” 

“ But my son, I have only a few of these Ameri¬ 
can dollars saved, as you well know, and in a day 
or two I must pay the bills-” 

“ What do I care about the bills? What should 
you care when I tell you my life is in danger? Only 
a few dollars, you say—where is all the money paid 
to you by Monsieur Faure this very day? I be¬ 
lieve you think more of your money than you do 
of your son.” 

For the first time in her long, worried life the 
old German woman realized that her son was one 
in name only. In a single second she forgot all the 
devotion and endearments she had lavished on him 
251 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U, S. M. C. 

in his youth; forgot the faith in him which she had 
cherished during his years of absence; forgot the 
affection and attention she had tendered him since 
his return, and in the place of all these came sincere 
and righteous indignation. 

Regardless of the need for silence, the pent-up 
wrath within her broke forth in vigorous, forceful 
language, but only for a moment or two did her 
rising voice seem to charge the raftered room with 
its venom, for the next moment she found herself 
being forced, spluttering and struggling, backward 
into an old-fashioned, cane-seated armchair. In 
her surprise at this turn of affairs she sat with her 
mouth agape, looking amazedly at her boy, then as 
she was about to launch forth another tirade, a dirty 
dish-towel was stuffed into her mouth; her own 
capacious apron together with other towels torn 
hurriedly into strips were being used to bind her 
fast and motionless. No longer did she struggle; 
she was overcome with heart-hurt; and then as her 
unworthy offspring disappeared through the door¬ 
way from her sight, the old hausfraus head fell 
weakly forward, and futile tears coursed silently 
down her fat cheeks. 

It was Hoffman’s intention to pass stealthily 
along the hall to his mother’s room and there to 
rifle the old-fashioned, leather-covered trunk which 
he knew was the repository of the old lady’s sav- 
252 


MIKE MISSES THE TARGET 


ings. As he closed the kitchen door and entered 
the passage which communicated with the upper 
stories of the house and the large front room of the 
inn, the door leading to this latter place likewise 
opened and closed to admit the burly form of First 
Sergeant Mike Dorian. 

The flickering hall lamp gave out a feeble ray of 
light, but even in the semi-darkness Mike recog¬ 
nized the marine uniform, and in surprise at seeing 
one of “ his 55 men in that place at this hour, he 
stopped in amazement. 

44 An’ what be ye doin’ here? ” he questioned. 
44 Come here, me man, and let’s be for havin’ a look 
at yer phizzyognomy.” 

But the man down the hall did not move. 

44 Did ye hear me order? What are ye doin’ back 
here, annyway? ” he questioned, and now Mike was 
striding down the hall. 

To make any further attempt to procure the 
money was out of the question, and Hoffman knew, 
too, that in a moment more Dorian could not fail 
to recognize him. His one chance of escape was 
down the hall and out the rear door which once 
before this day Haskell and he had used, so, in the 
hope of stopping further inquiry and satisfying the 
sergeant, he answered gruffly: 

44 The old lady called me in to ask about her son. 
You’d better go in there and talk to her,” and with 
253 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 

that he turned and made his way toward the door, 
hoping that Dorian would enter the kitchen as he 
had suggested. 

“ Not so fast there, me son-” began Mike, 

and then sharply, “ Halt! ” 

Friedrich was by now within five or six feet of 
the door, and as Mike’s challenge rang out he made 
a final rush for it. 

Again came the sharp challenge: 

“ Halt!” 

But now the German’s hand was on the latch and 
he flung the door open wide. 

A third time came the challenge, clear and cut¬ 
ting—decisive. 

“ Halt!” 

Now the road ahead was clear and Friedrich 
sprang through the doorway and across the tavern 
yard. Then came the thunderous bang of the pistol 
which the old sergeant had whipped from its holster 
and the bullet went whizzing dangerously close to 
the head of the fleeing man. Gaining the shadow 
of the hedge, Friedrich stopped and turned to 
glance behind him; as he did so he saw the figure 
of Dorian framed in the open door with the light 
behind him—a perfect silhouette target. 

“ Take that, you Irish brute,” he muttered, and 
with the words the heavy pistol which he carried 
barked once, twice,—he noted that the form in the 
254 



MIKE MISSES THE TARGET 

doorway seemed to waver, and then as the hands 
went out to support it, the body appeared to slide 
gently to the door sill. 

Waiting to see no more, Hoffman broke through 
the hedge and sped down the lane toward the river, 
and then it was that a member of the patrol on 
number four post, attracted by the sounds of the 
pistol firing, came running into the lane in time to 
empty his clip of cartridges at the fleeing figure of 
a man who failed to heed his challenge also, but 
back at the rear door of the tavern, Sergeant Mike 
Dorian, still partially holding himself in a sitting 
position, while pressing his left hand hard against 
his left side, growled and grumbled at himself. 

“ Begorra, Mike Dorian, ye’re gettin’ so old and 
blind that ye’re missing the bull’s-eye at less than 
twinty yarrds. Huh: if this keeps up Misther 
Dick’ll be wantin’ of a new top sargint, I’m 
thinkin’,” and then the voice suddenly stopped, and 
the old gray head fell heavily against the panel of 
the open door. 


255 


CHAPTER XIX 


WHY DOYLE CAME BACK 

When the sound of shots broke the quiet of the 
prosaic old village, and Dick ran from his room, 
he called out to Tommy Turner: 

“ On the jump, Tommy, there’s more trouble 
brewing,” then down the stairs he went, three treads 
at a step, while behind him he heard his young sub¬ 
altern close at his heels. 

Already the villagers were emerging from their 
doorways and peering curiously up and down the 
roadway; while from the direction of the company 
quarters, back near the center of the town, came the 
sound of shouts and running feet as the marines 
answered the summons of the bugler sounding the 
call “ to arms.” 

Pausing for a moment in the center of the road, 
Dick listened attentively, trying to determine from 
which direction the shots had been tired. 

Lieutenant Hall, Officer of the Day, came run¬ 
ning up to him, closely followed by the members of 
the guard. 


256 


WHY DOYLE CAME BACK 

“ The shots were fired down by the inn, sir,” he 
reported between breaths. “I’ve had ‘call to 
arms 5 sounded, and Mr. Wilson is standing by with 
the rest of the company waiting for instructions. 
Some member of the patrol has called the corporal 
of the guard.” 

“ He is calling again,” exclaimed Dick, as faint 
in the distance came the words: 

“ The Guard! Post Number Four! ” 

“ Go back and take charge of the company, 
Lieutenant Turner, and wait for further orders,” 
said Dick, and then: “ Come on with the guard, 
Lieutenant Hall. On the double, men,” and off 
they went, while Tommy, much disgruntled be¬ 
cause he could not go directly to the scene of ac¬ 
tion, returned to where the men were already 
formed in line and awaiting the next development 
in this most exciting of days. 

On reaching the gastwirtschaft it became appar¬ 
ent that once again the interior of the inn was the 
center of interest. Through the open portal a 
crowd of citizens could be seen standing about the 
doorway at the back of the public room, all gazing 
down the hallway to the rear of the house. 

Directing the guard to remain outside, Dick and 
Lieutenant Hall stepped into the room. At their 
entrance the group about the rear door drew si¬ 
lently away, while the two officers strode down the 
257 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

dimly lighted passage. Then for the second time 
within a few hours, Dick looked upon a scene which 
began to assume a familiar, if not agreeable aspect,, 
for, lying with his head supported on the knees of 
Ursula Comstock and with Marie Faure solicit 
tously bending over him lay a wounded man. 

In another moment Dick saw to his consterna¬ 
tion that the man was none other than his faithful 
old friend, Sergeant Dorian, and at Mike’s side 
Marie’s father was trying to staunch the flow of 
blood from an ugly wound. 

“Why, Mike-” began Dick, but his voice 

seemed to choke then and he could say nothing 
more. 

“ Hello, Misther Dick,” began the old first ser¬ 
geant, with a brave attempt at a welcoming smile 
on his rugged features, then remembering himself, 
his face straightened out while he endeavored to 
make his report as formal as he believed proper. 
“ I have to report to ye, sir, that owin’ to me bum 

eyesight—I let—a feller—escape, and-” and 

that is as far as the report went, for with a sudden 
indrawn breath, Dorian’s eyelids fluttered shut, 
while his body seemed to sink even lower to the 
floor than before. Once again Old Mike had lost 
consciousness. 

For a moment there was a silence which no one 
cared to break, then Marie, with her hand under 
258 




WHY DOYLE CAME BACK 


Dorian’s coat over the slowly fluttering heart, 
looked up into Dick’s anxious face and as calmly 
as she could, though her own eyes were filled with 
unshed tears, she said: 

“ His heart is still beating, Dickie boy. I think 
it is only the loss of so much blood. Where is the 
doctor? ” 

And even as she said the words Doctor Cathcart 
entered, having been summoned by the hospital 
corpsman who had previously been left in charge of 
Reddy Doyle and whom Ursula had immediately 
despatched for the man of medicine when she dis¬ 
covered Dorian lying on the doorstep a minute 
or two after the shots had so startled the inmates 
and patrons of the inn. 

“ Get your men in here and have him carried 
up-stairs at once,” was the surgeon’s urgent in¬ 
struction, and then once more the corpsman was 
sent in a hurry down to the sick-bay to secure cer¬ 
tain medicaments and bandages which the officer 
knew would be needed if he hoped to save the life 
of the faithful old marine. 

“ If this sort of thing keeps up, the gastwirt- 
schaft will be a hospital in fact,” remarked the of¬ 
ficer of the day to Dick in an endeavor to get the 
young captain’s mind off the serious happenings tak¬ 
ing place in the room overhead, to which Dorian had 
been taken. “ It is queer,” he continued, “ what 
259 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

has become of the old lady who runs the inn. Don’t 
you think we had better look around a bit? I am 
sure that I smell something burning. Per¬ 
haps -” but there was no need for further goad¬ 

ing on his part as Dick came out of his sad reverie 
“ with a snap.” 

“ Give orders to the guard to surround the house 
and allow no one to leave here unless passed 
through personally by me—I mean no Germans. 
Also have the patrol on number four post report 
to me at once,” he commanded, then lifting the latch 
to the kitchen door, he started to enter. 

“Hello! The place is filled with smoke. The 
dinner is burning up,” and in another moment he 
had removed the burning meats and vegetables 
from the range, and flung open the windows and 
doors. 

Soon the draft thus created was clearing out the 
dense smoke and pungent fumes which had filled 
the room. By this time Lieutenant Hall had re¬ 
turned from his mission and it was he who first 
saw Frau Hoffman bound fast to her chair, her 
gray head still sunk dejectedly on her breast and 
her eyes tight closed. 

“ Look, sir, the old lady has been tied up and 
gagged.” 

Together they released the prisoner from her 
bonds. With the removal of the gag from her 
260 



WHY DOYLE CAME BACK 

mouth, and after a sup of water which Dick 
brought to her, her tongue became unloosed and 
she broke out into loud and rapid vituperations— 
so rapid, in fact, that in spite of his intimate knowl¬ 
edge of the language, Dick was able to catch only 
a word here and there; and while she raved, the fat 
old soul waddled about the room frantically waving 
the remnants of the apron, which had recently 
bound her own arms fast to the arms of the chair, 
to and fro in an endeavor to clear the atmosphere 
of the last vestiges of smoke. 

Finally Dick took her kindly by the shoulders 
and arrested her mad flight. 

44 Stop—wait just a moment, Frau Hoffman, 
and tell me who tied you up in such a brutal man¬ 
ner? How did it all happen and why? ” 

44 Tell you? ” answered the old woman, scorn¬ 
fully. 44 1 tell you nothing. The Americans have 
caused me naught but trouble for years. It is all 
your fault. Oh, how I wish our Kaiser were here; 
he would tell you.” 

44 Was it an American, then, who treated you so 
roughly? ” persisted Dick. 

For a second only the old lady hesitated and 
then looking anywhere but into Dick’s eyes, she re¬ 
plied in a vehement tone: 

44 Of course it was an American. Who else but 
one of your brutes would harm an old woman like 
261 


CAPTAIN, COMSTOCK , U . S. M. C. 

myself and heap such indignities upon her? It was 
one of your own men—one of your wonderful ma¬ 
rines, I tell you.” 

“ Why did he do such a thing? Who was he? 
What did he look like? ” 

“ How should I know why, unless it was to rob 
me? Was not my back turned when he grabbed 
me as I was cooking at the fire? Did he not force 
a dirty rag down my throat and bind me hand and 
foot? ” 

As Dick was about to question her further, there 
came the sound of footsteps outside and the ser¬ 
geant of the guard appeared at the threshold with 
Private Aiken in tow. 

“ Here is Private Aiken, sir, patrol on Number 
Four,” he announced, “ and he tells me that while 
patrolling the lane in rear and a few hundred yards 
to the east of the inn a while ago, he heard one shot 
from a Colt’s automatic, followed in a short inter¬ 
val by a second and third shot. Immediately after¬ 
ward, when Aiken was coming toward the inn on 
the double, sir, he saw a man in uniform run out 
into the lane and turn toward the river. He called 
on the fellow to halt, but he kept on going, so Aiken 
emptied his rifle in an endeavor to stop him. While 
Aiken was telling me his story, sir, I received word 
from Lieutenant Turner that all the men in the 
command are accounted for with the exception 
262 


WHY BOYLE CAME BACK 

of Sergeant Dorian and Private Haskell. He 
also reports that someone has broken into the 
pistol locker and stolen a pistol and some ammuni¬ 
tion.” 

“ You and Aiken may wait outside for a while,” 
said Dick, and then turning to the old lady he said, 
“ Do you know Private Haskell of the Marines, 
Mein Frau? Was he the man who came here? He 
is absent from the company.” 

A gleam of malice crossed the old woman’s fea¬ 
tures. 

“ Yes, yes! He is the man. Now I remember 
him perfectly. He used to come here frequently, 
and he owes me more money than he can pay,” then 
turning away from Dick and addressing no one in 
particular, she fabricated a tale which would 
thoroughly clear her son of any suspicion. Once 
again the mother love for her boy had overcome 
her momentary spirit of revolt. 

“ I doubt if we can do much in the way of search¬ 
ing to-night,” said Dick to his lieutenant. “ You 
may have the guard removed from around the inn 
and allow the people to go on about their business. 
Have the river bank patrolled and notify the pa¬ 
trol boat to keep a sharp lookout. Tell Lieutenant 
Turner that I will be in the office presently where 
I wish to see all the officers. If Haskell is found 
he will be arrested, and you may dismiss the com- 
263 


CAPT AIK COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C, 

pany, but I want all hands to remain in their billets 
for the rest of the night.” 

Having seen to other minor details, Dick slowly 
and thoughtfully climbed the stairs to learn from 
Ursula and Marie that Doctor Cathcart had stated 
that there might be a chance for Dorian’s life, and 
though he did not hold out much hope, the next few 
hours would tell the tale. 

“ Captain Doyle wants to see you, Dick,” added 
Marie. “ He is fully awake and says that he has 
something very important to tell you and no matter 
what the doctor says to the contrary he will get on 
much better if you will talk to him for a few mo¬ 
ments.” 

“ All right, I’ll go in and see him, but I can’t see 
what it is he wants to talk with me about,” said 
Dick reluctantly. 

When he entered the room he found Mrs. Faure 
sitting there, quietly conversing with the injured 
man. The lamp, turned down low on a center ta¬ 
ble, gave but a feeble light in the room, but even 
so Dick could not fail to notice the relieved look 
that came over Reddy’s face when he saw his visi¬ 
tor. Mrs. Faure excused herself on Dick’s arrival, 
after whispering in his ear to let the patient talk for 
a short time only and that she had administered a 
sedative powder in the hopes that Reddy would go 


264 


WHY DOYLE CAME BACK 


to sleep, but he insisted that he could not and would 
not until he had first seen Captain Dick. 

Seating himself in the chair which Mrs. Faure 
had vacated, Dick began speaking quietly. 

“ I’m here, Captain Doyle, and will listen to any¬ 
thing you have to say, but I must caution you that 
I cannot stay long and you must not excite your¬ 
self, according to the doctor’s-” 

“ Doctors be hanged,” exclaimed Reddy impa¬ 
tiently. “ However, I’ll not keep you long. You 
see, Dick, I’ve been invalided home. Got too much 
gas during one of those blooming fights along the 
Meuse-Argonne, I guess, and it’s kind of raised the 
dickens with me all around. I tried to stick it out, 
but these fool doctors always come butting in and 
taking all the joy out of life with their darned 
diagnoses. 

“ Well, anyway, I asked for and received per¬ 
mission to come down here for the express purpose 
of seeing you before I left for the good, old 
U. S. A.” 

“ Yes,” came Dick’s comment, but he was not 
particularly interested nor attentive. He could not 
dispel from his mind’s eye the sad picture of his 
old friend and former bunkie, Mike Dorian, now 
lying close to death’s door in the room across the 
hall. 

“ Yes,” reechoed Doyle. “ You see, Dick, I 
265 



captain comstock, u. s. m:c. 

wanted to tell you before I left this side how sorry 
I am for all the bitter things I have said and 
thought of you for these long years past. In the 
first place this war has made a very different man 
of me, Dick. It has taught me—well, I don’t just 
know how to say it—but I’ve had my eyes opened 
to the fact that I’m pretty small pumpkins anyway 
on this big, old globe, and I’m thoroughly ashamed 

of a lot of the things I have—that have-” his 

voice, low-pitched anyway because of his weakness, 
now faltered and stopped. 

“ That’s all right, Doyle,” said Dick in as kindly 
a tone as he could muster. “ Now suppose you try 
and get some rest.” 

“ No—wait, Dick. I’ve not told you all as yet. 
First, I want to say that way back in our old school 
days there were two of the fellows—you know 
them, Merlin and Dodge—well, they bootlicked me 
all the time and I used to toady to them a lot just 
to—just to hear them praise me up. I was a vain 
kid and I liked their flattery, to be perfectly frank 
about the matter. Do you remember when the 
election came off for the captain of the football 
team and you won out? ” 

“ Yes,” came the reply, coldly. 

“ That same night after the election those two 
fellows gave me a lot more of their soft soaping. 
It was like balm to my wounded pride. They poi- 
266 



WHY HOYLE CAME BACK 

soned my mind still more against you. You see, I 
used to have a lot of spending money at school and 
I used to loan them considerable amounts because 
of their blarney. Oh, I was a chump right enough. 
Well, soon after this both of them, as you may re¬ 
member, were dismissed from the school and I saw 
but little of them for they left the home town, and 
not until the war began did I ever see or hear from 
either of them. When I came over here with my 
regiment I ran across Jack Merlin. He was a ser¬ 
geant in one of the companies in my outfit and was 
continually getting into hot water. On two or 
three occasions I was successful in getting him out 
of his difficulties, then finally he got sent back home 
before he had seen any real fighting and secured 
some kind of a government detail—recruiting or 
something like that. He used to write to me fre¬ 
quently, and soon after I joined your company and 
had written him to that effect, he sent me a letter 
saying he was once again in trouble and if I’d send 
him a certain sum of money he would tell me some¬ 
thing about you which would give me the whip 
hand. Do you see? ” 

Dick was now all attention; though he feared he 
might be doing wrong to allow Doyle to keep on 
talking, he also saw that to attempt to stop him 
now would probably be more harmful than to let 


267 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 

him continue, so he nodded his head understand- 
ingly. 

“ I sent him the money. I was sore because you 
were a captain and I just a lieutenant and under 
your command. In return he sent me, not one but 
several letters all of which concerned you and your 
family. For the most part they were filled with a 
lot of rank gossip, which, even though I was envi¬ 
ous and jealous, I was certain was untrue, but in 
one of the letters he again stated positively that 
you had played a low trick on me at school.” 

Dick still said nothing and continued his far¬ 
away stare into the dim corners of the room, while 
once again a picture flitted across his memory of a 
man climbing the high wall of a certain home en¬ 
closure in Belgium, and, as the climber disappeared 
over the crest of the wall, there fluttered to the 
ground a sheaf of white papers—the very letters to 
which Doyle was now referring. 

The sick man stopped for a minute or two and 
then began again. 

“ By the time the first of these letters arrived I 
was already experiencing the subtle change which 
was coming over me and I tried to forget their con¬ 
tents; but you can’t make a black sheep all white 
in a minute, you know, and at times, even though I 
did not believe all Merlin had written and said, my 
nasty nature would get the better of me and in that 
268 



The Old Inn Was a Scene of Wildness Long to Be 
Remembered 




WHY DOYLE CAME BACK 

mood I was liable to say and do things I afterward 
was ashamed of and regretted. Perhaps it was the 
nervous tension and strain we were under, and per¬ 
haps too it was the knowledge, or the feeling at 
least, that both you and Tommy Turner hated the 
sight of me and resented my presence in the com¬ 
pany. I felt I was a rank outsider and though I 
had more or less created that position by my 
own action I tried to shift the burden for it all on 
you.” 

Again Reddy waited for a while. Perhaps the 
medicine he had taken was making him drowsy, 
for his speech was gradually getting slower and 
slower. 

“ That’s about all, I guess, except I made this trip 
down here for the express purpose of seeing you, 
Dick Comstock, and asking you if you’d forgive 
all that’s gone before and let me shake hands with 
you, Dick, as man to man, and friend to friend. 
For I’ve come to realize and to know that you have 
been a fair and square fighter from start to finish, 
Dick, and that I’ve been the 4 dog in the manger.’ 
Will you? ” 

Knowing Reddy Doyle as he had all these years, 
Dick also knew the effort and the self-humiliation 
which all these explanations had caused him, and as 
Reddy finished speaking and half-way held out his 
hand over the white coverlid, he found it grasped 
269 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

for the first time that he could remember in real 
friendship and understanding by this lifelong ac¬ 
quaintance and former rival. 


270 


CHAPTER XX 


TOMMY TURNER DISCOVERS SOMETHING 

A month had come and gone. In the quiet old 
German town nestling on the banks of the Rhine 
affairs had again settled back into nearly their nor¬ 
mal routine. The day of the Faures’ and Ursula’s 
leaving had been postponed from time to time. 
With Mike Dorian’s life hanging in the balance 
none of the party desired to leave, for the old ser¬ 
geant was a prime favorite of them all. Now that 
he had been pronounced out of danger and with 
Reddy Doyle already on his feet, Mr. Faure had 
stated that they could not well afford to delay 
longer. 

Once again the hour for their departure had been 
set and this time Reddy was to accompany the 
travellers part of their way to Brest and possibly 
might be fortunate enough to catch the same trans¬ 
port with them across the Atlantic. 

Nothing more had been heard of either the son 
of Frau Hoffman nor of the man Haskell. Papers 
declaring the latter to be a deserter had long since 
been made out and published broadcast, a money 
reward being offered for his apprehension and de¬ 
livery to the military authorities. 

271 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S» M. C. 

In the interim it had also been discovered by the 
men concerned that certain pieces of their clothing 
had disappeared on the night of the shooting at the 
gastwirtschaft, and by putting this and that to¬ 
gether it was surmised that Haskell had aided 
Hoffman by stealing the necessary wearing ap¬ 
parel and the Colt’s pistol, and that the two had 
made their escape together. 

All arrangements had been made for an early 
start and on the morrow, too, Mike Dorian was to 
be removed in one of the big hospital ambulances, 
back to a base hospital. Dick, together with 
Tommy Turner, had dropped in to have a final chat 
with Doyle and found him in the midst of packing. 

The evening had been pleasantly spent in com¬ 
pany with the girls and the elder people, by wit¬ 
nessing a minstrel show gotten up by members of 
the company in honor of their guests, for as such 
were all the inmates of the gastwirtschaft now con¬ 
sidered by the entire garrison. Following this the 
officers of the post had held a happy “ at home ” in 
their mess hall and the women had left to stow 
away the last of their belongings so that there 
should be no delay in the morning. 

Reddy still occupied the room formerly used by 
Friedrich Hoffman, and during his enforced stay 
had filled the place up with curious antiques and 
souvenirs of the war. The former to be taken home 
272 


TOMMY DISCOVERS SOMETHING 

to his mother who was an ardent student and ad¬ 
mirer of ancient objects of art in every form, and 
Reddy had spent much time and money in acquir¬ 
ing many of the things from the old inhabitants 
of the surrounding country. 

Man-like he had put off until the last minute the 
packing of most of these things and when Dick and 
Tommy pushed in unceremoniously he was busily 
engaged in his task but making poor progress. 

“ Don’t you want me to lend you a hand at this? ” 
inquired Tommy, whose attitude toward Doyle had 
changed so greatly that now he was an ardent 
booster and pretty constant companion for his 
former foe. “ You’ll never be packed at the rate 
you are going. Suppose I collect all your duds and 
lay ’em out on the bunk, then you can see what fits 
what, and in that way make better progress.” 

“ Fine idea, Tommy. Go ahead and shoot. It’s 
a relief to receive some suggestions with this mess,” 
replied Reddy, who had been charging back and 
forth from trunks and packing boxes to one thing 
and another to find in most cases the article he had 
brought was the one he did not want or could not 
use. 

So Tommy pitched in and soon the walls and 
tables were well cleared and the youngster on the 
hunt for more was delving into a closet which 
opened into the room. 


273 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

Reddy, on his knees before one of the suitcases 
and carrying on a conversation with Dick, looked 
up as Tommy threw open the door. 

“ Hold on, Tommy, the things there don’t be¬ 
long to me. That is the property of Frau Hoff¬ 
man’s son.” 

But Tommy did not hear him, so intent was he on 
his quest, and already he had removed a pair of 
binoculars from one of the hooks at the back of the 
closet. 

“ I say, Tommy, those are Friedrich Hoffman’s 
things in there,” reiterated Reddy. 

“ Someone’s put some of your stuff in here, how¬ 
ever,” answered Tommy. “ Here are your field- 
glasses, anyhow.” 

“ My field-glasses,” exclaimed Reddy, looking 
puzzled and leaning over so that he might view the 
contents of a big suitcase resting on a near-by 
chair. “ You’re wrong, old top, just stowed my 
glasses away in here,” and he pointed at the bag. 

“ Guess you’ve made a mistake then, Reddy,” 
said Tommy, emerging from the closet, “ for these 
are the glasses you used to tote around while you 
were serving with us—yes—and they’ve got your 
name on ’em,” he ended, extracting the binoculars 
from the case he held suspended by its fair-leather 
strap. 

In two strides Doyle had crossed the room and 
274 


TOMMY DISCOVERS SOMETHING 

without ceremony snatched both glasses and re¬ 
ceptacle from Tommy’s hands, and was examining 
them intently. 

“ Well—I’ll be—I’ll he blowed! Why, I lost 
those glasses the first night of the fighting before 
Belleau Wood. No, I didn’t lose them—they were 
stolen from me. Now how in the name of Eng¬ 
land, Ireland, Scotland and Wales did they ar¬ 
rive here? I didn’t bring them. I’m sure of that.” 

Tommy scratched the back of his head rumi- 
natively. 

“ You can’t prove it by me,” he answered. 

“ Do you or did you suspect any particular per¬ 
son? ” asked Dick. 

“ Why—why, yes, I did suspect someone—in 
fact I was pretty positive at the time, but finding 
them here puts a different light on the matter, or 
rather takes away what little light there was. I 
don’t know what to say. It looks peculiar to say 
the least, and-” 

“ Do you mean to imply that any of our men 
swiped them? ” interrupted Tommy, always on the 
defensive where Reddy was concerned, or the 
honor of the marines impugned, in spite of the fact 
that for the past four weeks an era of peace and 
good fellowship had reigned supreme. 

“ Hold on, Tommy,” said Dick, quietly. 
“ Reddy has made no such inference that I can see.” 

275 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

“ Yes, Tommy, dry up and don’t be so quick on 
the trigger,” added Doyle, but not in the least as 
he would have spoken six months before. “ I see 
what you are driving at, but you are wrong.” Then 
turning to Dick he continued: 

“ Do you remember that straggler I used as a 
runner the first night we really got into the scrap¬ 
ping, Dick? The man who called himself Doyle? ” 

“ Yes,” answered Dick. 

“ I believed at the time that he was the man who 
had taken them and later I remembered that I had 
removed the glasses together with some other of my 
accoutrements and laid them aside. Right after 
doing so something came up and I left the spot for 
a while. I never missed them till next day, then I 
found that I’d lost a map and some other things at 
the same time, and although I could not say posi¬ 
tively that Doyle did take them, I always suspi- 
cioned that he did. If he did take them, some 
German must have gotten them from him later on 
—may have taken him prisoner or killed him, 
maybe-” 

“ No, Reddy, the man Doyle wasn’t killed, but 
he was badly wxmnded, and a German didn’t take 
the glasses from him—he was a German—a spy 
himself.” 

“ You don’t mean it ? Why, how do you know this, 
Dick? To tell the truth I was somewhat doubtful 
276 



TOMMY DISCOVERS SOMETHING 


about that scoundrel, and if you remember I asked 
you the day we made our first attack—while we 
were getting our new place in line, if you didn’t 
think the Germans opposite our particular sector 
had a pretty accurate idea of what we intended do¬ 
ing? Had it not been for these two things I might 
have believed Doyle was all right and had been 
killed in the fighting.” 

“ I remember,” was Dick’s reply, while Tommy 
listened open-mouthed to the conversation, for so 
far Dick had kept his own counsel regarding the 
facts he had learned about the runner Doyle, “ and 
now I’ll tell you all that I have found out since 
then. Your runner was enlisted in the corps right 
enough, and was attached to the Q. M. D. when 
we were sent in to relieve the French. This was 
his first opportunity to get back to his own people 
and he was probably trying to join them when you 
ran across him and pressed him into service. As 
soon as he could, though, he made his getaway, but 
not before he had first given warning to that bunch 
of Boches who had started building their machine- 
gun nest out in the wheat field directly in front of 
your advanced post, and in the hope of learning 
more of our plans he again returned and, as we 
suspect, succeeded in his nefarious work. 

“ The day we first penetrated into the Bois de 
Belleau he was engaged in sniping at us from the 
277 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C, 

branches of a tree, and when Tommy here was 
wounded and about all in I chanced to shoot him 
down at the same time he sent a bullet into 
Tommy.” 

Both Doyle and Tommy were listening intently 
to Dick’s recital, 

“ To go on,” said Dick. “ As you know, he was 
dressed up in our uniform—that is, it was a mix¬ 
ture of army and marine—so he must have been 
picked up by our men, and being badly wounded 
was sent on back to a dressing station and then to 
the base hospitals till finally he ended up in the 
same hospital in Paris with you, Tommy.” 

“ And you mean to tell me that the fellow who 
shot me was sleeping under the same roof with me 
for days? And to think I never knew it,” ex¬ 
claimed the youngster disgustedly. “ Why, if I 
had known that I’d have gotten up out of bed, sick 
or no sick, and beaten him up to a frazzle.” 

“ Yes,” continued Dick, “ he was there sure 
enough, and the day the Marines paraded in Paris 
—the Fourth of July, you remember? ” At this 
point Reddy looked away from Dick rather shame¬ 
facedly. “ That very day he escaped from the hos¬ 
pital and luckily, too, for the surgeon in charge 
had about made up his mind that he was a sus¬ 
picious character and was going to turn him over 
to the M. P. that night.” 

278 


TOMMY DISCOVERS SOMETHING 


“ But what has all this to do with Reddy’s glasses 
turning up here? ” inquired Tommy. 

“ You are unusually thick, son,” said Dick, 
dryly. “ I should have thought that you would have 
guessed-” 

“ I have, I have! ” shouted Tommy. “ Friedrich 
Hoffman and the runner Doyle are one and the 
same person. By jinks, now I get it, and savey the 
whole works: I’m hep.” 

“ You are right, Tommy,” replied Dick, and then 
he carefully explained to Reddy how Hoffman had 
returned to the little village; how he had told con¬ 
tradictory stories; his denial of knowledge of the 
English language; and how Ursula and Marie had 
instantly recognized him as the escaped soldier from 
the hospital ward. 

“ He was always a surly brute,” concluded Dick, 
“ and from the first I had no faith in him. When 
the girls told me their suspicions it then flashed 
across my mind where I had seen him, and to be 
perfectly frank, Reddy, I couldn’t help but think 
your connection with him was peculiar, and feeling 
as I did toward you, I couldn’t help wonder why 
you were protecting him, for I was almost con¬ 
vinced against my will that you must have known 
him to be a spy, especially when Haskell, on the 
night the gastwirtschaft was the scene of so much 
excitement, told me that Hoffman had told him 
279 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

that he used to know you when you made trips to 
Germany before the war started. You see how our 
foolish minds and twisted beliefs put us on the 
wrong tack oftentimes.” 

“ I can understand, Dick,” said Doyle, and then 
he added manfully: “ But in your case it was dif¬ 
ferent. You didn’t wish to believe ill of me, while 
I was always only too eager to believe the worst 
about you.” 

“ Cut that, Beddy,” said Dick. “ That’s all gone 
by now.” 

“ When you two mushers get through lathering 
on the soft soap, let’s get on with the rest of this 
enigma,” said Tommy with a comical grimace. 
“ What I want to know is, providing Hoffman was 
taken up by our people and put into one of our 
hospitals, how it was he still happens to have these 
glasses in his possession now—I mean in his room 
here? ” 

“ That is something we can only guess at,” an¬ 
swered Dick. 

“ Under the circumstances I believe we have the 
right to investigate the rest of his belongings, don’t 
you? ” 

“ I should say that we can do that, Tommy. I 
don’t believe we will be committing any breach of 
faith by doing so. The reason Hoffman isn’t 


280 


TOMMY DISCOVERS SOMETHING 


around is pretty well established. He was the real 
instigator of the fight here four weeks ago.” 

“ I’ll tell you another reason, now that you have 
told me all this,” ventured Tommy. “ I remember 
distinctly a man who called himself Doyle who 
worked in the Q. M. D. I do not remember exactly 
how he looked, but I had occasion to report him to 
his C. O. for impudence while we were doing our 
last bit of training. At the time I made the report 
I discovered that the man had enlisted but a short 
time before and because of his penmanship and 
familiarity with accounts in a small way, but most 
of all because of his knowledge of German, he had 
been transferred to the Q. M. D. and sent over 
right away. You see how the shoe fits.” 

“ I remember he told me he had had several ‘ run 
ins ’ with you,” said Reddy. 

“ He’s our man then. So you see I dope it out 
like this. He recognized Reddy during the fight 
in the room down-stairs and as he had already com¬ 
mitted himself when he made that 4 break ’ in Cor¬ 
poral Breen’s presence, he knew he would be on the 
tapis and Reddy would see him and in turn recog¬ 
nize him and get him arrested as a deserter.” 

“ I believe that under the circumstances there can 
be no doubt as to our rights in the matter then,” 
announced Dick. 

The search proved beyond any doubt that Fried- 
281 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 

rich Hoffman was, as Dick, Reddy and Tommy 
had already guessed—a deserter from the United 
States forces and subject therefore to severe pun¬ 
ishment should he be apprehended, and one of the 
most interesting things found in the belongings of 
the man was a card showing that he had been em¬ 
ployed as an assistant bookkeeper in the famous 
athletic club in New York City of which Reddy was 
such a prominent member. 


282 


CHAPTER XXI 


HOFFMAN PAYS A VISIT 

During the month which had passed from the 
time Friedrich Hoffman left Private Haskell dying 
under the dusty, mouldy hay in the deserted barn, 
the criminal had been having no easy time. After 
the failure to get at his mother’s small hoard of 
money he was too anxious to put the miles between 
him and the scenes of his latest crimes to tempt 
Dame Fortune by staying around in the vicinity 
of the village. He knew the punishment which 
awaited him if captured, and he was too fond of his 
life, such as it was, to risk another attempt to sup¬ 
ply himself with more funds. 

The twenty dollars which he had stripped from 
poor Haskell, together with a larger sum which he 
happened to have in his pockets, would keep him 
supplied with food for some little while. His uni¬ 
form would at times be a detriment to him, but in 
general he believed it would prove a successful ad¬ 
junct. His intention was to proceed to the coast 
of France and in some way get back to America 
and the United States, where he could secure re¬ 
munerative employment—anyway it would pay 
him better than anything he could find to do in 
283 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C, 

Germany; wages would be high, and he would not 
have to work so hard for what he received as he 
would in his native land. 

Even as he dashed down the alleyway with the 
whining bullets of the patrol whistling about his 
ears he had decided upon his course of action. 
First of all he must cross the river. This task might 
prove difficult, as there were no boats to be pro¬ 
cured. It was too cold to attempt to swim even 
could he do so, and he could not afford to risk his 
neck by appearing at any of the bridgeheads, for 
within a few hours, he rightly guessed, Captain 
Dick would have sent word to bring him back into 
custody. 

Railroad travel, even when he reached the oppo¬ 
site bank, would likewise prove dangerous, for there 
were M. P. at all railroad stations in the back areas, 
therefore if he succeeded in crossing safely he must 
make his way as best he could along unfrequented 
highways and byways toward the coast. However, 
he did not fear active pursuit unless the body of 
Haskell should be discovered, and this he did not 
believe would follow for some time, perhaps 
months. As Haskell also would be reported as 
absent, any description sent out for their appre¬ 
hension would be that of two refugees, consequently 
as he would be travelling alone, his chances of es¬ 
cape were much greater. 

284 


HOFFMAN PAYS A VISIT 


Arriving near the bank of the river he proceeded 
as rapidly as was possible in the darkness to a spot 
where a few days before he had noticed a lot of 
lumber recently piled and intended for future 
building. Here he was most fortunate, for not only 
did he find the heavy planks suitable to his pur¬ 
poses but also he found a long coil of light rope. 
Working feverishly he soon had sufficient lumber 
carried to the water’s edge to answer his purpose— 
the construction of a raft. 

Quite some time before dawn, with the aid of the 
rope, and using Spanish windlasses to bind his 
planks together, he was ready to launch his rickety 
craft. The unstable raft served to keep his upper 
clothing dry, but the cold water dashed over his 
feet and many times during the passage of the river 
he narrowly escaped slipping overboard in his en¬ 
deavors to paddle to the opposite shore. 

The current had carried him several miles down¬ 
stream before he eventually made a landing, then 
after pushing the flimsy structure as far out into 
the river as possible, he scurried up the steep, high 
bank just as the sun rose over the hills behind him. 

Avoiding a town which he saw near by he sought 
shelter in a sunny nook far from any habitation 
and built a fire whereby he might dry out his shoes 
and socks before proceeding further. With his 
bare feet to the flame he waited impatiently, but all 
285 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

the time he was getting colder and colder in spite 
of the heat of the fire and the increasing warmth 
of the sun. Finally he donned his partially dried 
clothing again and crossing the fields till he came 
to a highway proceeded on his long journey. By 
now Friedrich was nearly famished; his body was 
aching, and he knew he had taken a severe chill. A 
few rods from the highway he saw a house, with an 
old German pottering about the door. When ac¬ 
costed the old man was at first suspicious of this 
man in military uniform, but with chattering teeth 
the refugee fabricated a story which won the old 
man’s sympathy and a little later the hungry trav¬ 
eller was sitting down to a bowl of hot porridge 
which lent him new life and vitality. 

For over a week Friedrich stayed with the 
farmer before he felt able to proceed, and then bid¬ 
ding good-bye to his host, he started on. On two or 
three occasions he was stopped and questioned by 
the civil authorities. Once some members of the 
Military Police operating in the vicinity where he 
happened to then be halted him, but his facile 
tongue after a while turned away suspicion and 
resulted in his getting a ride on his way in an offi¬ 
cial government car. After this he often was given 
lifts either in machines or by natives going to or 
from their labors, but always he travelled west. 

He had crossed Luxemburg and was passing 
286 


HOFFMAN PAYS A VISIT 


through Belgium when he came out on a road which 
he immediately recognized as one of the routes over 
which the retreating Germans bound for Coblenz 
had used, and a few kilometers away was the little 
town, the citizens of which had given the American 
conquerors such a valiant reception a few months 
before. 

Soon he was passing through the streets. He did 
not hesitate as to his direction and before long he 
stopped opposite one of the houses located in the 
residential section of the town. A survey of the 
place did not enlighten him, but with assurance he 
crossed the road and knocked boldly at the door. 
Almost immediately it was opened by a very 
comely looking woman. 

“ Pardon me, but do Monsieur and Madame 
Flammeau reside here? ” questioned Friedrich. 

“ Oui, Monsieur, Je suis Madame Flammeau, 
Do you wish to speak with me? ” 

“ Yes and no, Madame Flammeau. I am really 
here to speak to your daughter, Mademoiselle 
Suzette. I have a message for her.” 

“ Sh-h-h-sh! Not so loud, Monsieur. I know 
from whom the message comes. It is from Mon¬ 
sieur Doyle of the American Army, is it not? Yes, 
your face tells me I am right,” she continued, for 
in his surprise at the woman’s unexpected remark, 
Hoffman had made an involuntary start, and then 
287 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. 31. C. 

recovering himself had nodded his head in silent 
acquiescence. Whereupon the woman added to his 
mystification still more, for she stepped outside the 
house and closing the door behind her she leaned 
forward till her lips were close to his ear and said: 
“ Do not remain here now. Return at eight 
o’clock. My husband is taking his afternoon’s rest 
at present and he may awake at any moment. To¬ 
night he will leave the house for a few hours. It 
will be safe at that time to see Suzette and deliver 
your message. I am sure it is good news that you 
bring. She will be so pleased. She is all ready to 
depart at a moment’s notice. Now, go.” 

With that she quickly reentered the house and 
again the door was closed, while Friedrich Hoff¬ 
man, still bewildered at this unexpected turn of 
events, hastened away in obedience to Madame’s 
directions. 

During the time he had to wait he proceeded to 
the one hotel of which the town boasted, and there 
improved his personal appearance as best he could. 
He had his rather unkempt growth of beard 
trimmed closely, and for a few sous his clothing 
renovated. By eight o’clock he was once again on 
his way to the home of Suzette. 

During the intervening hours his mind had 
tackled the problem which so suddenly had been 
thrust upon him. On arriving in town he had gone 
288 


HOFFMAN PAYS A VISIT 


to M. Flammeau’s home for the purpose of making 
himself known to Suzette and somehow or other 
securing from her additional funds to carry him to 
the coast without more delay. 

It will be remembered that when Reddy Doyle 
discovered the loss of his field-glasses, a packet of 
letters and papers were also missing. It was some 
of these letters which had given the purloiner of 
other person’s goods some very intimate informa¬ 
tion. It was from them that Hoffman learned of 
Reddy’s infatuation for the pretty little Belgian 
maiden and also that the father of the girl objected 
to Reddy’s attentions and intentions, and had for¬ 
bidden the two to carry on further correspondence. 

Once again luck now favored Hoffman, and 
piecing things together he arrived at the conclusion 
that Madame Flammeau’s remarks could mean but 
one thing;—Suzette with her mother’s sanction had 
made arrangements to elope with Reddy and was 
waiting for a message from him that he was pre¬ 
pared to carry out their plans. 

Here indeed was a lucky stroke, for undoubt¬ 
edly Suzette would have money, j>art of her dowry 
at least, which the mother would supply, even 
though it might not be much, and now if he, Hoff¬ 
man, was clever he would have everything his own 
way: get the girl, her money, and add another score 
to his credit against the race he hated above all 
289 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , V . S. M. C. 

others—the Yankees. He hoped his four weeks’ 
growth of heard would prove so deceiving that 
Suzette would fail to recognize him. Looking 
down at his uniform, he decided that even though 
he could not afford to take too many chances, 
neither could he afford to supply himself with other 
clothes. If the girl found him out he would trust 
to his wit to get out of difficulties, and in many 
ways his uniform in this instance was an asset. 

The house was in darkness when he again ap¬ 
proached it at the appointed hour, but without hesi¬ 
tation he knocked gently and was admitted by 
Madame Flammeau, who whispered for him to en¬ 
ter the room which he remembered so well. 

“ Suzette Will be down in a few minutes,” she an¬ 
nounced, after turning on the lights of the living- 
room, and offering Hoffman a chair. “ Tell me, 
are the arrangements made and will he be here to¬ 
morrow as he promised? Do not say that you have 
come to tell her of another postponement. The poor 
child could not stand that. Nearly three weeks ago, 
—no, nearly four, w r e were all prepared, and then 
came the news that he was very ill—injured, and 
could not get here, but was recovering slowly. Do 
not say you have a message of such a nature.” 

“ On the contrary everything is as it should be, 
except the plans have necessarily been altered a lit¬ 
tle. Monsieur thought it safer to send me, and 
290 


HOFFMAN PAYS A VISIT 


bring Mademoiselle to him. I arrived by train this 
afternoon. He is coming by automobile to-night 
and will pick us up on the Paris highway. Every¬ 
thing will go forward this time and without fail.” 

“ Coming to-night! By auto! Why, Monsieur, 
you must be mistaken. He assured her he would 
be here by train on the morrow. And why should 
he meet her on the highway to Paris? He said he 
would come directly to the house, but that every¬ 
thing should be ready for her to leave at once;— 
that he must not delay. What made him change? 
I do not understand.” 

“ That is the reason for my coming in advance— 
because of this vital change in his plans,” re¬ 
sponded Friedrich glibly, and he was greatly re¬ 
lieved to have Suzette enter at this moment. Un¬ 
doubtedly the two would discuss this matter in his 
presence and from their talk he would gain enough 
insight as to what part he must play in this game 
to avoid any more of the “ rocks and shoals ” such 
as those he had narrowly escaped being wrecked 
upon a few seconds ago. 

“ Oh, Suzette,” cried her mother, folding the girl 
in her arms, “ this gentleman has come from Mon¬ 
sieur Doyle, with a message that the plans have 
again been altered.” Suzette started and gazed, 
frightened, at Hoffman. “ He states that Mon¬ 
sieur will arrive here to-night by auto; that he is to 
291 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , £7. £. M. C. 

pick you up on the highway to Paris; that he has 
not even time to stop, as was arranged. You must 
get ready at once, my dear, and leave the house 
within an hour—before your father returns—else 
you might not be able to get away. Come, we will 
go and get you ready.” 

Hoffman saw here a chance to escape safely, and 
rising he said: 

“ I believe it is better, too, that I leave at once, 
Madame. Perhaps Monsieur might return unex¬ 
pectedly and find me here, then complications 
would certainly arise. So, if Mademoiselle will 
make a rendezvous, for nine-thirty or any hour you 
think best, I will meet her, and deliver her safely to 
my Captain.” 

“ Yes, it is better that you should go. I wish to 
have these last few moments alone with my child, 
as you will readily understand, Monsieur. So you 
are in the Captain’s company? ” 

“ Yes, Madame,” was the laconic reply, and pick¬ 
ing up his cap he moved toward the hallway. 

During this time Suzette had said nothing, but all 
the time her eyes were fastened on this man who 
had come in the guise of a messenger, and who, for 
possibly a few hours, was to be her escort until such 
time as the machine bringing Monsieur Doyle 
should put in its appearance. 

Madame Flammeau followed Hoffman into the 
292 


HOFFMAN PAYS A VISIT 


hall, appointed the place where he was to meet 
Suzette, then after peering up and down the street, 
quietly motioned for him to go, and it was with a 
great sigh of relief that the German heard her shut¬ 
ting the portal as soon as he had crossed its 
threshold. 

“ What is the soldier’s name. Mother? ” in¬ 
quired Suzette, when the two were ascending the 
stairs immediately after Friedrich’s departure. 

“ I never thought to ask. He did not tell me.” 

“ Somehow I do not trust him. His eyes are 
shifty, but it must be all right, otherwise how could 
he know what he knows. And being in the same 
company with my Captain, it is not likely he would 
be chosen unless he was perfectly trustworthy. Oh, 
dear, I wish-” 

“ I know, Suzette. It is not all as we would 
have it, but now it cannot be helped.” 

“ Mother, I do not see how I can leave you,” and 
the girl laid her head on the mother’s shoulder sob¬ 
bing brokenly. 

“ There, there, little one,” soothed the mother. 
“ The parting had to come soon. I regret you 
could not have gone openly, but your father’s un¬ 
accountable attitude would not permit of it. And 
if he believed, after you have gone, that I had aught 
to do with your going, my own future would be 
miserable. Some day I know he will relent, and 

293 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

all will yet be well. But come, this is no time for 
tears. We must be brave. We must each remem¬ 
ber the other as with a smiling face,” and embrac¬ 
ing her child for a single moment more in silence, 
she let her arms fall away and set about her prepa¬ 
rations for the girl’s coming journey. 

After leaving the house, Hoffman went at once 
to a garage and made arrangements for a touring 
car to meet him at a remote place just on the out¬ 
skirts of the town, and it was arranged that the 
driver for a certain stipulated sum of money should 
take them to a railroad station about thirty kilome¬ 
ters distant. At the appointed hour Hoffman was 
waiting in feverish impatience at the rendezvous. 
He had not long to cool his heels, for soon he made 
out the girl’s figure struggling along the highway 
under the weight of a heavy travelling-bag. 
Hastening forward he relieved her of the bag, then 
keeping to the darker streets they wended their way 
to the place where his machine was to pick them up. 
During the walk he could hear the girl sobbing 
softly at his side, and all his efforts toward con¬ 
versation were ignored by her as though he had not 
spoken. 

“ We are to wait for Monsieur here at the cross¬ 
roads, Mademoiselle,” he remarked, after they had 
been walking for about ten minutes in silence. 
Then placing the bag in the dark shadows of a 
294 


HOFFMAN PAYS A VISIT 

near-by hedge, he continued: “ This bag will af¬ 
ford you a fair seat upon which to rest until the 
Captain arrives. Who can tell, he may be a few 
moments late, but I doubt it, for I know that if 
I was in his boots I would be ahead of time with 
such a precious packet awaiting me at the road¬ 
side.” 

If he hoped to elicit a reply he was doomed to 
disappointment. The girl took advantage of his 
suggestion as regards the seat, and kept her eyes 
fastened on the great highway. With the approach 
of every car, for a moment showering them with 
the effulgence of their bright headlights, she would 
rise and stand watching intently until, with a whirr 
and roar, the vehicle went flying by. 

Finally came a car bearing down on them, and 
going slower than most of the others. The driver 
was keeping well to the left side of the road and 
moved a spot-light on the machine along the paths 
to either side. Eventually it rested on the man and 
woman waiting under the hedge, then with a grind¬ 
ing of the brakes it came to a standstill. 

The girl had again risen to her feet, her hands 
clasped across her beating heart, her eyes staring 
eagerly into the machine, but the side curtains were 
down and she could not possibly discern if anyone 
were sitting there beside the driver or not. 

With the stopping of the car, Hoffman ad- 
295 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

vanced, threw open the rear door and placed the 
bag on the floor. 

“ Good-evening, Captain,” the girl heard him 
say. “ Yes, we are here.” Then turning to Suz- 
ette, “ Quick, Mademoiselle. There is now no time 
to lose.” 

Never doubting for an instant but that Captain 
Reddy Doyle was sitting there awaiting her in the 
darkness, and in her excitement and agitation for¬ 
getting it strange that the man for whom she had 
waited so long and sacrificed so much should not 
have jumped from the machine to meet her, she 
stepped forward, and almost before she knew it 
was done she found herself seated in the tonneau, 
the door shut, and the car rushing forward on its 
way. Impulsively she turned to the man sitting 
beside her, her arms half outstretched, her eyes 
alight with anticipation, but in time she noted by 
the reflected glare of the headlights that it was her 
soldier escort who was seated by her side, and at 
the same time she remembered him as the man who 
had come once before purporting to be Reddy’s 
messenger—the man who called himself Doyle. 

With a smothered cry of fear the astonished girl 
reached for the handle of the door intending to 
throw herself from the car, but with a quick lunge 
Hoffman caught her and threw her none too gently 
back on the seat. 


296 


HOFFMAN PAYS A VISIT 


“ Sit still, Mademoiselle,” he said quietly, so that 
the chauffeur should not overhear. “ I did not have 
time to explain everything to you. Do not fear. I 
am really taking you to the Captain, but not as I 
told your mother. If I had told her the truth both 
the Captain and I feared she would not consent to 
your going. This car is to take us to the railroad 
station thirty kilometers from your home, where we 
will entrain for Paris. Monsieur could not meet 
you anywhere else because of orders from his gen¬ 
eral. He was heart-broken, Mademoiselle, but it 
was unavoidable. He will be at the station to meet 
us as soon as I telegraph him on what train we are 
travelling.” 

Poor Suzette, frightened and unnerved, cowered 
back in her corner wide-eyed and unbelieving. She 
somehow had sensed that this man was not to be 
trusted, and she felt now that her only hope was to 
acquiesce to his wishes, but at the first opportunity 
make an attempt to evade him and return to her 
home. 

That trip in the machine was a nightmare to the 
girl. Everything that could happen on a short run 
of thirty kilometers seemed to happen. Engine 
trouble, a punctured tire, a broken connection, and 
not until daylight did they limp into their destina¬ 
tion, the chauffeur swearing and Hoffman worn 
out, trying to explain to his companion that every- 
297 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

thing was as it should be. They had ample time 
to get some breakfast before the departure of the 
next train westward, but even so at the last minute 
they had barely time to get aboard, and then to 
the man’s chagrin he found they had to share their 
compartment with a tall severe looking English¬ 
woman and two children. Not for a single moment 
during the long ride in the slow accommodation 
train did the man leave the girl to her own devices. 
Although she could not speak English, nor could 
their travelling companions converse in French, he 
decided to take no chances. After a most trying 
night in the second-class carriage, Suzette was glad 
to get out at a station about four hours’ ride from 
the great city and drink in the freshness of the 
beautiful morning from the station platform. 

By studious courtesy Hoffman had partially re¬ 
gained favor with the girl and her faith in his story 
was fast returning, therefore when she suddenly 
discovered that the train upon which they had been 
travelling was pulling out of the station without 
them she turned to him once more a countenance 
filled with alarm. 

“ I am Sony, Mademoiselle,” said the man look¬ 
ing down shamefacedly, “ but I had funds sufficient 
to bring us this far and no more. I will go and 
telegraph the Captain at once and wire him to send 
me money for the completion of the journey.” 

298 


HOFFMAN PAYS A VISIT 

“ Oh, Monsieur, why did you not let me know? ” 
and impulsively she reached in the small purse she 
carried and extracted a roll of money. “ Here, 
take this and let us go on at once. No , do not hesi¬ 
tate, Monsieur, for I would not have Captain 
Doyle know that this has happened for anything. 
You must accept,” and she forced some of the 
money into the seemingly unwilling hands of her 
escort. Together they went to the office and 
bought two tickets, second-class, on the next 
through express, and then Hoffman left the girl 
alone while he went presumably to telegraph their 
whereabouts to his waiting superior officer. 

For some reason this bit of acting on the part of 
Friedrich convinced Suzette that he was telling the 
truth after all, and when they met for breakfast she 
was quite gay and happy. They took more time 
than they intended and again at the last moment 
they rushed through the gates and even as the 
guard was in the act of closing the doors they were 
bustled aboard just as the train was rolling out of 
the station. Four hours later their train pulled in 
under the great shed of the magnificent Gard du 
Nord, and Suzette followed Hoffman to the street 
expecting every moment to be greeted by the man 
she had come so far to meet. 


299 


CHAPTER XXII 

WHAT HAS BECOME OF SUZETTE ? 

The motor of the great touring car drawn up 
outside the gastwirtschaft was throbbing in the light 
of the early morning sun. The passengers already 
had taken their places, Mrs. Faure and the two 
girls occupying the rear seat; Mr. Faure beside the 
driver and Reddy Doyle squeezed in one of the 
small seats in the tonneau where also a goodly 
share of the luggage was stored. However, Reddy 
had gladly accepted when the invitation had been 
extended him to accompany Ursula and her friends 
on their journey to Brest. 

A half hour previously a large comfortable am¬ 
bulance had whisked away First Sergeant Mike 
Dorian, now well out of danger, and the natives 
of the town had been amazed at these Yankee sol¬ 
diers and the noise they made when they cheered 
their old and much respected comrade-in-arms with 
a “ three times three and a tiger,” as his shining 
conveyance rolled so swiftly and silently by them. 

Grouped beside the Fames’ car were the officers 
of Dick’s command come to bid the travellers God¬ 
speed, while further down the street near the com- 
300 


SVZETTE 


pany billets the men were waiting around ready to 
cheer the departing visitors as they passed through 
the village on their way to Coblenz, the first leg of 
their long journey. 

Captain Dick, standing on the running-board, 
was holding his sisters hand and talking rapidly in 
the meantime, while Tommy Turner’s tongue was 
wagging at a great rate from the opposite side. 
Marie, occupying the middle of the seat, was the 
most silent one of the party. Her eyes were down¬ 
cast and the sensitive, red underlip was scarcely 
able to keep from trembling. She failed to see the 
looks which Captain Dick kept sending in her di¬ 
rection as his tongue continued to convey an un¬ 
ending number of messages to his father, mother, 
and all the relatives near and far. 

“ Everything ready back there? ” questioned Mr. 
Faure. “ What? Yes? Then it is time to be off, 
my children. We have far to go.” 

“ Have you asked her yet? ” whispered Ursula 
in Dick’s ear. 

“ No, not yet. It wouldn’t be fair till this thing 
is all over,” he muttered back, gloomily enough. 

“ You foolish boy, can’t you see that-” 

“ Off the running-board there, you youngsters,” 
interrupted the voice of Mr. Faure, “ or we never 
will start and I want to be well on our way toward 
Belgium by nightfall.” 


301 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M.C . 

“ Then you have decided to make the whole trip 
by motor? ” asked Mrs. Faure. 

“ Yes. From what the chauffeur tells me, it can 
be done in splendid time and besides it will be very 
interesting to go back over the identical territory, 
towns, cities and the like, which our men had to 
traverse to get here. Don’t you all agree? ” 

Before anyone had an opportunity to answer 
Tommy spoke. 

“ If you are going back over exactly the same 
route by which we came, and if you happen to stop 
at a certain little Belgian yillage where Dick and I 
put up I hope you get as wonderful a reception as 
we received. Do you remember, Dick?” and 
Tommy beamed across the car. “ Of course you 
know which town I mean—the place where you 
chased that fellow over the wall in rear of Monsieur 
Flammeau’s house.” 

Dick was about to reply when the astonished 
voice of Captain Doyle stopped him. 

“ Did you say Flammeau—F-1-a-m-m-e-a-u ? 
And do you know Monsieur and Madame? ” 

“ I should say, yes,” exclaimed Tommy, “ and 
their daughter, Suzette, too. Dick, here, can tell 
you all about her. He is quite the hero in her eyes. 
He probably saved the girl’s life and she is his de¬ 
voted admirer.” 

“ Oh, say, Tommy,” came protestingly from 
302 


SUZETTE 


Dick, but the harm had been done, and if Tommy 
had meant to be “ funny ” no one present appeared 
to see the point to his wit. 

Reddy Doyle looked stunned as well as amazed. 
Marie Faure bit her lip now in real earnest to keep 
from crying. “ Perhaps it is because of this girl 
that Dick has been so ‘ brotherly ’ to me,” she 
thought bitterly. Ursula also looked perplexed and 
astonished. Here was certainly something Dick 
had kept from her, and up to this time she was quite 
sure there were no secrets which both did not share. 
She opened her lips to speak but happening to 
glance at Marie, changed her mind and said noth¬ 
ing. As for Dick—if looks could have killed. 
Tommy Turner would have died then and there 
on the spot. Mrs. Faure, also seeing and rightly 
interpreting her daughter’s look, pressed the girl’s 
hand under cover of the heavy rug thrown over 
her knees. She, too, had wondered at Dick’s seem¬ 
ing reticence—but Mr. Faure, all unconscious of 
the bombshell which Tommy had so unwittingly 
exploded in their midst, again called out: 

“ Come, come, we are off! Au revoir, messieurs! 
Au revoir, Tommy! Au revoir, Dick, my boy,” 
and giving the driver the signal to start, the car 
moved forward slowly. 

Unable to say anything for the moment, Dick 
leaned forward and kissed Ursula, made an un- 
303 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U . S. M. C. 

successful dive for Marie’s hand, and then just be¬ 
fore leaping to the ground he bent far over to whis¬ 
per in the girl’s ear, “ Don’t mind Tommy. He’s a 
fool. There’s only you, Marie.” 

As the deep blue eyes met his own he saw them 
once more aglow with happiness and sunshine, and 
gladly he glimpsed the dimples again appear while 
the red lips parted over the perfect teeth in a joyous 
smile of thorough trust and confidence in him, then 
he jumped to the road. 

On through the village street raced the big car; 
again came the cheers of the men on the morning 
air, and Dick, glowering at Tommy when the car 
finally disappeared around a bend of the road, said 
in no gentle tones: 

“ And as for you—I’d enjoy wringing your 
neck.” 

“ Like to wring my neck! What in the world 
have I done now? ” asked the youngster inno¬ 
cently. 

“ You know blamed well, you idiot. What? 
You mean to tell me that you have forgotten that 
remark about Suzette Flammeau? Don’t you 
know it was Reddy Doyle whom I chased 4 over 
the garden wall ’ that night? That he was the man 
she was in love with and her father opposed the 
idea? All the time Reddy has been here that is 
the only thing which has not been explained, and 

304 


SUZETTE 


as a matter of fact, I’ve tried to forget about it. It 
is the only thing about Doyle that ‘ sticks in my 
craw ’ as the saying is, and even that may have a 
plausible explanation. We only heard Suzette’s 
side of the case, you know.” 

“ I know? ” said Tommy, amazement in his tone 
and voice. “ Reddy Doyle, you say? Why, Dick, 
this old war has gone to your head. You never told 
me anything about its being Reddy Doyle. If you 
remember after you read some papers you found, 
you closed up like a clam about the whole affair. 
How then should I know I was treading on any¬ 
one’s toes? ” 

And then it was Dick remembered that it was as 
Tommy had said; he never before had told him of 
his suspicions and surmises, nor of the conversa¬ 
tion he had held with Suzette. 

“ Well, I’m dumguzzled,” said Tommy, after a 
moment or two of silence. “ I can’t believe it’s 
true, Dick. I don’t believe Reddy would handle 
any woman as rough as the fellow behind that 
closed door was handling that girl, but suppose you 
tell me all about it now so that I won’t be making 
any more breaks.” Thereupon Dick related the 
entire story of the night’s adventure, also what 
Suzette had told him the next morning and what 
he had overheard the men saying regarding 
Reddy’s company marching on the parallel road 
305 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S.M. C< 

and about his men having been in the town during 
the previous night. 

“ So you see,” he concluded, “ I had a good right 
to suspect Reddy, and now after that look on his 
face when you mentioned the Flammeaus’ home 
and Suzette, I am more convinced than ever, but 
I’ll say this much for Reddy, that I do believe there 
is something more to the story, and I am tiying 
hard to reserve my final judgment of the case until 
I can hear his side of it as well as hers, but how to 
get at it is a rather ticklish proposition. If I asked 
him, he might tell me it was none of my business, 
and I rather believe he would be right at that.” 

However, all these problems were forgotten a 
few minutes later, for as they turned to enter their 
quarters a very much excited German came hur¬ 
riedly up the street and requested permission to 
speak to the Herr Captain-Commandant, and on 
Dick’s statement that he would hear what he had 
to say, the man’s story proved absorbing enough 
indeed. 

After giving his name, occupation and place of 
residence the native went on to say: 

“ This morning I had occasion to enter an old 
barn I seldom use. On throwing open the door I 
immediately saw that the place had been entered 
since I had last visited it. In a moment more I 
discovered the body of one of your men. He has 
306 


SUZETTE 


evidently been dead for some time, and so I came 
directly to you to report the matter. The body was 
covered over with hay, but beyond removing some 
of it to discover what was underneath, I have left 
everything as I found it.” 

“ What makes you believe it is the body of one 
of my men? ” inquired Dick. 

“ I do not state it to be so, positively. I merely 
guessed at that, but I do know it is an American 
soldier or marine because of the uniform.” 

“Wait until I send for the surgeon, and then 
you may take us to the place,” said Dick, and call¬ 
ing for the orderly he despatched him post-haste 
for Doctor Catheart. In the meantime, he had 
nearly made up his mind that the body in the lonely 
old barn could be one of two persons, it might prove 
to be either that of Friedrich Hoffman or Private 
Haskell. 

When Doctor Catheart arrived, the party under 
the guidance of the burgher proceeded to the out¬ 
skirts of the town and there under the hay, exactly 
as Friedrich Hoffman had left them, were the re¬ 
mains of Haskell and also the bundle of clothing 
which Hoffman had discarded and which was soon 
proved as having belonged to him. 

In accordance with the regulations, Dick had a 
board of officers appointed to investigate the cir¬ 
cumstances attending the death of Haskell, and it 
307 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , V. S. M. C. 

was found that beyond a doubt the marine had been 
killed by a blow on the head from some blunt in¬ 
strument which had crushed in his skull, but whom 
the person was who had committed the act the 
board could not determine. The dead man’s pock¬ 
ets had been rifled, his identification tags were gone, 
and from the marks still remaining on the dirt floor 
of the barn it was evident that a struggle had taken 
place. Everything pointed to Friedrich Hoffman 
as the guilty party, but no amount of imagination 
nor conjecture could settle on any plausible motive 
for the deed. 

The afternoon of that same day the body of 
Haskell was given a military burial, and the nota¬ 
tion of his desertion was erased from the records 
of the company, while every honor was accorded 
him, so, even though the man’s lack of principle 
had probably governed most of his life, neverthe¬ 
less it was his loyalty to the colors at a crucial mo¬ 
ment which brought on his death, and it is pleasant 
to remember that at the last his country and his 
countrymen paid these final tributes to his mem¬ 
ory. 

While these incidents were transpiring in the 
little village, Mr. Faure and his party were making 
splendid time toward their destination. A short 
stop at Coblenz was allowed and during the time 
the rest of the occupants of the car were resting 
308 


SUZETTE 


and procuring something to satisfy their healthy 
appetites, Mr. Faure was closeted with the Com¬ 
manding General of the Coblenz area, and when 
he rejoined the party his lace wore a much satisfied 
expression. Unheard by either of the girls or 
Reddy he took the first opportunity that presented 
itself to talk with his wife. 

“ It is all arranged satisfactorily, my dear. 
Dick’s orders have been issued and unless someone 
lets the cat out of the bag, he will never be able to 
accuse me of having a finger in the pie.” 

“ How soon will he be on his way? ” questioned 
Mrs. Faure. 

“ He should catch the same transport that we are 
to take. The General told me the orders will reach 
Dick in the morning and as they read ‘ proceed im¬ 
mediately ’—which means in military parlance, 
within twelve hours—barring accidents, I should 
say he will reach Brest before we do, as we have to 
stop over in Paris for a day or two. The General 
assured me that there is no doubt but that the Ger¬ 
mans will agree to all the demands and proposals 
of the allies, so Dick is not going to lose anything 
by being ordered home this early in the game, and 
I imagine already he is finding it pretty lonesome 
back there, eh? ” and he smiled knowingly. 

“ Am I at liberty to tell Marie? ” inquired Mrs. 
Faure. 


309 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S . M. C. 

“ My goodness, madam, do you wish to spoil 
everything? By all means keep it from her—from 
everyone. She will know of it soon enough and the 
suspense won’t hurt her.” 

“ Did you hear what that young chatterbox, 
Tommy, said just as we were leaving? ” 

“ I heard him talking at a great rate, but that is 
nothing unusual for that young man. His tongue 
must always wag or he is not happy. But to what 
in particular do you refer? ” 

“ Why, his remark about some girl in Belgium 
being in love with Dick because he had saved her 
life and-” 

“ I don’t blame her. No, I did not hear it, but if 
you have not learned by now that Tommy’s tongue 
is hinged in the middle, it is time you awoke to the 
fact.” 

“ But, my dear, it hurt Marie terribly—it-” 

“ If that is the case she has gotten over it bravely. 
Look at her talking over there. Why, the child 
hasn’t a care in the world.” 

Which was true enough, for Marie, Ursula and 
Reddy, standing at the entrance to the hotel wait¬ 
ing for the car to arrive, were laughing and talking 
light-heartedly. 

“ I know all this section of the country very well 
indeed,” Reddy was saying. “ You see, before the 
war broke out the firm for which I work used to 




SUZETTE 


send me over here once or twice a year, and there is 
hardly a city or town between the Rhine and the 
English Channel which I have not had occasion to 
visit.” 

“ That reminds me of Tommy’s remark about 
some Belgians whom you all appear to know— 
Flambeau or some such name,” said Marie, care¬ 
lessly—so carelessly in fact that Ursula looked at 
her in surprise, for she had not heard Dick’s last 
words in Marie’s eager ear. 

“It’s spelled F-l-a-m-m-e-a-u,” said Reddy, while 
again his face became sombre. “ Yes, Monsieur is 
w r ell known to me. I have visited at his home often 
when in the village where he lives. We will pass 
through there on our way and if your father and 
mother do not object I would very much like to 
stop and inquire about them. Monsieur Flammeau 
is a very prominent business man there, or at least 
he was before the Germans occupied Belgium, and 
it would not hurt my firm any if I stopped to renew 
old relations with him, you know.” 

“ Are you quite sure the old relations are with 
Monsieur or with Mademoiselle, Reddy? ” asked 
Marie, mischievously, whereupon Ursula joined in 
the laugh created by the scarlet, telltale color which 
Doyle could not suppress and which suffused his 
face to the roots of his hair. 

The arrival of the car saved Reddy from answer- 
31 * 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U . S'. IbT. C. 

ing any questions, and soon the streets of Coblenz 
were a memory, the bridge over the river had been 
passed, and they were steadily and swiftly covering 
the miles which intervened between the advanced 
posts of allied occupation and the bases where 
many months before these war-tried troops had dis¬ 
embarked to take an active part in the rooting up 
of a dangerous enemy to the whole world—Kaiser 
Wilhelm—the then idol of the German nation. 

Toward mid-afternoon of the following day, 
Monsieur Flammeau was about to enter his front 
door when a large touring car stopped before his 
house. In the act of placing his hand on the knob 
of the door he turned to view the occupants of the 
machine. 

With the stopping of the car, Reddy Doyle hur¬ 
riedly climbed out on the far side and ran around 
the rear of the machine. His overseas cap was 
crushed in his left hand, his right was outstretched 
eagerly, and his flaming hair shone in the sunlight 
seemingly with added lustre. 

No sooner did the man at the door spy him than 
the look of curiosity on his face changed to one of 
anger and righteous indignation, and as fast as his 
short legs would permit he advanced upon the 
young officer with his cane raised as if in attack or 
defense, it was difficult to determine which. 

At his hostile approach Reddy halted beside the 
312 


SUZETTE 


car, but when Monsieur Flammeau still continued 
to advance, he began to speak deferentially: 

“ Bon jour, Monsieur Flammeau. I am glad to 
see you looking so well after all these years, and 
may I also inquire after the health of Madame and 
Mademoiselle? ” 

The fussy little man did not stop until he was 
almost within arm’s length, and then, with his cane 
still raised threateningly, he came to a standstill, 
and, drawing himself to as full a height as his 
rotund figure would permit, he glared into the 
younger man’s eyes and began speaking vehe¬ 
mently. 

“ You—you come here and inquire after my 
health and that of my wife? After all that has 
happened, you come to add insult to injury by ask¬ 
ing for my daughter? Do you wish to ridicule me 
—you, whom I forbade to ever address me? Did 
I not tell you before the war began that you could 
not marry her? And still your letters arrive, which 
I destroy. Then after all these terrible years of 
hardship and privation, of torture and humiliation 
at the hands of the beastly Huns, you come in the 
night and steal my baby from me? You, an Ameri¬ 
can! It is more than I can bear. It is of you I 
ask the question, for you alone can answer, you 
canaille! What, then, has become of my child, my 
little Suzette? ” 

3D 


CHAPTER XXIII 


MONSIEUR, FLAMMEAU’S STORY 

Although the knowledge could in no way have 
helped her in her present predicament, it might 
have solaced her somewhat could she have known 
that during the preceding night as her slow train 
rambled and rumbled on its way, Captain John 
Percy Doyle, Jr., passed within a few yards of 
her, and all the time he was railing at the slowness 
of his passage, for he now knew the story of Su- 
zette’s disappearance from her home, and anxious 
and worried, he was eager to get to Paris where 
he hoped to be able to find some trace of her. 

It was the day following the girl’s flight that the 
Faures’ car had drawn up before her home and the 
justly irate father advanced to meet the man who 
he believed responsible for his daughter’s running 
away. Mr. Faure, seeing instantly that there was 
trouble of some kind, had alighted before the as¬ 
tonished Doyle could say a wurd in refutation of 
the angry man’s accusation, and it was some little 
while before the father was convinced that the man 
3 J 4 


MONSIEUR FLAMMEAUS STORY 

whom he so much disliked was as innocent as he in 
one sense of the girl’s unaccountable absence. 

Anxious and worried as he was before Reddy’s 
arrival, the little man after hearing what Mr. Faure 
had to say was hardly able to keep his nervous self 
still long enough to hear the statements that were 
being made to him. He doubted even the word of 
this gentleman of whom he had frequently heard 
during the war because of his great activities among 
the stricken families of the French and Belgians 
who had been impoverished by the Avar. 

Finally he was prevailed upon to enter his home 
and carry on the discussion of the events there 
rather than on the street, and soon the entire party, 
augmented by the presence of Madame Flammeau, 
were seated in the drawing-room listening to the 
little man’s story. 

It appeared that in former years Doyle’s father 
and Monsieur had had several business deals and 
that the smart Yankee had gotten the better of the 
Belgian much to the latter’s chagrin, for he prided 
himself on his business acumen. When Reddy, fol¬ 
lowing in his father’s footsteps, came to Europe 
in the interests of the old firm he, too, encountered 
Suzette’s father and was introduced to his wife and 
daughter. On learning that Reddy was the son of 
his former business competitor Monsieur became 
unduly prejudiced against him, and on subsequent 
3i5 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , C7. 5. M. C . 

visits forbade him to enter his home, for he viewed 
with concern the growing intimacy between this 
Yankee and his only daughter. Later when he dis¬ 
covered that letters were being exchanged between 
the two he forbade any further intercourse whatso¬ 
ever. 

As is usual, such a step only increased the liking 
of the two young people for each other, and it must 
be confessed that Madame Flammeau was their 
staunch supporter, aider and abettor. Then came 
the war. Belgium was overrun with Germans. It 
had been difficult, at times impossible, for letters to 
pass through the lines, and not until after the armi¬ 
stice was signed did Reddy and Suzette again 
meet, but of this meeting the father was in ig¬ 
norance. 

This was the status of affairs, as Suzette’s father 
knew them when on returning home the night be¬ 
fore he had found the house in darkness and his 
family asleep in bed as he firmly believed. On 
descending for breakfast he had been surprised to 
find his wife crying her eyes out. When he in¬ 
quired the reason for her tears she handed to him a 
letter which she held crumpled in her hand, saying 
bitterly as she did so: 

“ See what your harshness has brought upon us. 
Our daughter has eloped. The ungrateful girl! ” 

Hardly able to adjust his pince-nez, so badly 


MONSIEUR FLAMMEAUS STORY 

shaken was he, Monsieur read the note which Su- 
zette had written: 

“ Dearest Mother and Father: I have gone to 
Paris with Captain Doyle and if you wish to see me 
before we leave for America wire promptly to Mrs. 
John Percy Doyle, Jr., care of the United States 
Ambassador, Paris. Good-bye. Your loving 
daughter, Suzette.” 

All the morning torn between his love for his 
child and his stiff-necked pride, Monsieur had 
fought his battle unaided, except by slurring in¬ 
sinuations, put in at timely intervals by his wife. 
Finally he had despatched the telegram and return¬ 
ing to his home after the ignominious defeat thus 
recorded, who should he see descending at his door 
but the very man who was the cause of all his hu¬ 
miliation. 

“ Now, young man,” he concluded bitterly, “ you 
have taken my daughter from me. Tell me what 
you have done with her? Why is she not with you 
and these friends of yours? ” 

During the recital of Monsieur’s woes, Reddy 
had hardly been able to wait for him to arrive at 
the end of his tale. Now he rose, and with his brain 
in a turmoil, answered: 

“ Monsieur Flammeau, you are mistaken. As 
my friends will tell you I have been recovering 
3U 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , [7. S'. M. C. 

from a wound inflicted while in Germany nearly 
four weeks ago. Most of that time I have been in 
bed. Two days ago we started to motor to Paris 
and I have been on the road with these friends 
continuously since then. I know nothing of Suz- 
ette.” 

Reddy’s announcement came as a bombshell to 
Suzette’s parents. Madame looked especially in¬ 
credulous, and starting to her feet with a look of 
fear which before she had not felt for she thought 
this whole affair merely a part of the elopement 
which she had aided, she exclaimed in horror: 

“ Rut, Monsieur, you must know! Only last 
night you sent your man here for her. He knew 
all about the arrangements we had agreed upon. 
He said they would meet you on the road to Paris 
in an automobile. I—I—She—She went away 

with him, and-” and there the poor lady broke 

down completely. 

Fifteen minutes later such of the little details as 
were known to any of those present had been told, 
and still no explanation of the girl’s whereabouts 
was forthcoming. The Prefecture of Police had 
been called upon and his verdict was that the girl 
had been kidnapped; at this statement Madame was 
put to bed, hysterical, and Monsieur was nearly on 
the verge of collapse. At the suggestion of Mr. 
Faure his entire party boarded the afternoon ex- 
318 



MONSIEUR FLAMMEAUS STORY 


press for Paris where it was hoped that some trace 
of the missing girl might be found, and before they 
left the disagreement of years before between the 
families, Flammeau and Doyle, had been forgotten 
forever in this vital question which touched so 
closely the hearts of all concerned. 


3i9 


CHAPTER XXIV 


AT THE GA11E DU N0KD 

The whole town turned out when Captain Rich¬ 
ard K. Comstock, pursuant to orders received the 
day following his sister’s departure, wended his 
way to the hanks of the Rhine and boarded the 
trim little patrol vessel, manned by members of the 
United States Marine Corps, which was to take 
him to Headquarters at Coblenz where he was to 
report. During the time Dick had administered 
the affairs of his small area he had, by strict atten¬ 
tion to detail and impartiality in his dealings with 
friend and foe, endeared himself to the townsfolk 
in a most remarkable manner. As for the men of 
his company, they felt his going more keenly than 
their smiling faces would indicate, for they were 
both glad and sorry to see him depart. Glad for 
his sake, but sorry for theirs, especially so, those men 
who had been under his command since the com¬ 
pany was originally organized back in the good 
old U. S. A. 

Perhaps the one person who felt his departure 
more keenly than all the others was Lieutenant 
Tommy Turner. 


320 


AT THE GARE DU NORD 


“ I don’t know how I’ll get along without you, 
old man,” said Tommy wistfully as their hands 
met in a vice-like grip, “ but—but I’ll stick it out, 
even though it’s going to be hard sledding.” 

“ Cheer up, Tommy! You will all be coming 
along soon, and think how fine it will be when you 
go swinging up dear old Fifth Avenue to the tune 
of 4 Semper Fidelis ’ and the accompaniment of 
that crowd of our own people lining the street, 
yelling themselves hoarse because they’re so darned 
proud of our marines. Golly! the thought of that 
makes me regret not being able to stay here to the 
finish with you and the old outfit—my outfit. I 
don’t understand why I should be plucked out of 
here as if I was a useless feather in a duck’s wing. 
What in the world do they want of me back at 
Headquarters in Washington, D. C.? I’ve never 
had any of these staff jobs before and I’ll not know 
how to act. Who in the dickens ever suggested 
me as an aide, anyhow? ” 

44 Can’t prove it by me,” responded Tommy 
gloomily enough, 44 but if you hear of any more of 
those dog-robbing, coffee-cooling cinches pining for 
a good man to fill ’em, I’ll consent to your propos¬ 
ing me for the billet, and I’ll reconsider what I 
remarked a few moments ago.” 

Gathered about on the high bank of the river, 
men, women and children stood looking on as Dick 
32i 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C, 

boarded the little vessel. The marines in their best 
“ bib and tucker ” were massed at the landing, and 
never were cheers for a departing commander more 
whole-souled and vigorous than those which re¬ 
echoed from shore to shore as the lines were cast 
off and the boat began its journey down the stream. 

The usually stolid Germans themselves were 
awakened from their lethargy, and one stout in¬ 
dividual appointed himself “ cheer leader ” and 
above the din of the marines’ voices came the quick, 
guttural notes of an impromptu attempt at a cheer 
for the “ Captain Commandant, Dick Comstock, 
D. S. M. C.” 

“You may take your choice of routes to Brest,” 
said the General upon Dick’s reporting soon after 
the patrol boat had docked at Coblenz. “ If you 
wish you may delay your reporting at Camp Pon- 
tanezen and spend a few days in Paris, but I im¬ 
agine you are wanted back in Washington within a 
reasonable time or else the orders for you would 
not have been worded as they are. It is unfortunate 
they did not arrive sooner so that you might have 
accompanied your sister and her friends the entire 
way.” 

As a result, Dick wasted but little time in Co¬ 
blenz. Now that he was started on the return trail 
he was anxious to get back to his own United 
States. He longed to see that wonderful bronze 
322 


AT THE GABE DU NORD 


statue at the entrance to New York Harbor. He 
felt he could now appreciate the significance of it 
more than ever before, and above all things he 
longed to be scanning the waiting people on the 
wharf when his transport should finally warp her 
way alongside, for he knew that somewhere among 
that sea of upturned eager faces would be two he 
held most dear—the faces of his mother and father. 

As the train upon which he travelled rambled and 
rumbled across the country over which a few 
months before he had plodded at the head of his 
company in the wake of the retreating enemy, he 
could not help but chafe at every stop and station, 
and although he was quite familiar with continental 
travel in Europe it seemed to him as though the 
tiny coaches and engine were altogether too small 
to make time and hold together long enough to 
reach their final destination. With each passing 
hour he was becoming more and more excited and 
anxious. He could not at the same time realize 
that he was about to leave all this life of war and 
strife and bitterness behind him. 

What a surprise it would be to his sister and the 
Faures when he walked in on them at their hotel in 
Paris, and without a doubt it could be arranged so 
that they all might embark on the same transport 
and together they would cross the broad Atlantic. 

“ When Mother and Dad hear the good news 

323 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

they will go wild with delight/’ he thought, half 
aloud, as he gazed out of the car window. “ Ursula 
and I arriving together. And won’t they be more 
than overjoyed to see Ursula again? Just to think, 
she has been over here since the summer of nine¬ 
teen thirteen,—nearly six years. Had it not been 
for the war she would have finished her studies and 
been back home three years ago.” 

It was with such thoughts as these that his mind 
was filled, as his eyes watched the landscape spread 
before them. How different were these portions 
of France through which the train was now pass¬ 
ing from the peaceful, undisturbed lands along the 
Hhine, through Alsace and Lorraine and Luxem¬ 
burg. Here great stretches of barren wastes— 
the vestiges of the cruel war, but already the work 
of reconstruction had begun among the razed vil¬ 
lages and battle-ploughed fields, yet many years 
must go and come before the scars should become 
even partially obliterated. 

A short way from Paris the train stopped at an 
insignificant station, and while waiting impatiently 
for it to start Dick stepped out on the platform to 
stretch his long legs and get some of the kinks of 
travel out of his muscles. As he was about to re¬ 
turn to his compartment he noticed a man in uni¬ 
form and a young woman rush through the gates 
as they were closing and after an animated dis- 

324 


AT THE GARE DU NORD 


eussion with the porter they hurriedly entered a 
second-class carriage and the door slammed behind 
them. There was something very familiar about 
both the soldier and the woman accompanying him, 
but the impression was so fleeting that it was im¬ 
possible to say what it might have been that at¬ 
tracted him other than the fact of their late arrival. 

“ Some Doughboy and a newly acquired sweet¬ 
heart, most likely. Probably taking her back to the 
States as his wife where she will be as happy as a 
duck out of water,” mused Dick, swinging aboard 
his own section as it came abreast of him. “ Funny 
why I should imagine that there is anything familiar 
about either of them; ” thereupon he dismissed the 
subject from his mind. 

At noon the train puffed slowly into the Gare 
du Nord } and gathering up his hand luggage Dick 
made his way through the station to the street in¬ 
tending to hail a taxi and proceed immediately to 
the hotel where the Faures and Ursula were stop¬ 
ping. 

At his signal a taxi cab puffed up to the curb 
and Dick was soon giving his directions to the 
chauffeur. He was about to step into the car when 
for some unknown reason he looked back at the 
wonderful building behind him, and in doing so he 
again saw the soldier and the girl, and again the 
feeling of familiarity swept over him. There was 

325 


CAPT AIK COMSTOCK, U. S.M. C, 

no doubt that the girl was pretty. They ap-* 
proaehed him at an angle and he could see that they; 
were evidently having a heated discussion. The 
man’s face was turned away from Dick, and he was 
apparently trying to explain away something to 
the girl, but she would hardly listen; meanwhile her 
quick glances scanned the faces of passers-by, of 
people emerging from the station, of those stand¬ 
ing about, as if expecting to find someone who 
was to meet her. Her looks even took in Dick as 
he stood waiting by his machine, but she turned 
away in disappointment. They had now reached 
the curb and the soldier called a passing taxi. 
When it had paused opposite them he motioned for 
the girl to enter but she refused, shaking her head 
and voicing her objections in a rapid undertone. 

Interested in spite of his own haste Dick stood 
with one foot on the running-board of his waiting 
car while he watched his late fellow travellers. 
More talk followed the girl’s refusal, and then the 
soldier took her roughly by the arms and tried to 
force her to enter the waiting cab. 

This was more than the young American officer 
could stand, and well knowing that he might be 
heaping troubles upon his own head by attempting 
to interfere in what appeared to be a family dis¬ 
sension, he nevertheless advanced toward the 
couple intending to offer his assistance to the young 
326 


AT THE GARE DU NORD 

woman. As he drew nearer the girl’s eyes were 
again turned in his direction and in their dark 
depths he could easily read fear and an appeal for 
help. The next moment into those eyes came a look 
of doubt, of unbelief, and then with a glad cry of 
recognition she broke from the grasp of her escort 
and ran toward Dick. 

“ Oh, Monsieur Capitaine —Captaine Comstock. 
Help me—help me,” she cried, and the next mo¬ 
ment she was tremblingly clinging to Dick’s arms 
and sobbing violently. 

“Why, it is Mademoiselle Flammeau!” said 
Dick, overcome with surprise. “ What are you do¬ 
ing here? How may I assist you? ” 

“ Do not let that man take me. Monsieur. Oh, 
help me, sir. He has lied to me. I should have 
known better than to believe him,” and her hold on 
Dick’s arm became more tense. 

Paris is no different from any other place under 
the sun and the little scene being enacted in front 
of the great railroad station was already attracting 
the curious. At best the situation was embarrass¬ 
ing and Dick was at a loss as to the best course to 
pursue. 

“ Get into my taxi, Mademoiselle,” he said. “ I 
will be back in a moment,” and helping her inside 
he saw her sink back on the cushions and immedi¬ 
ately cover her face with her handkerchief. Clos- 

327 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

mg the door he turned, intending to go and inter¬ 
view the soldier who had accompanied Suzette, but 
he was too late; neither the soldier nor his cab were 
anywhere in sight, and a street gamin called out 
that the man had jumped into his conveyance and 
driven away as rapidly as the law would allow. 

Turning back to his own machine Dick reopened 
the door. 

“ Where do you wish to go, Mademoiselle? ” he 
inquired. 

“Anywhere—anywhere. Only please get me 
away from him.” 

For a second Dick stood there pondering. 

“ Have you no luggage? ” he finally inquired. 

“No, nothing, except my small travelling- 
bag. You see, I did not have any time to bring 
more.” 

“ And where is the bag you speak of? ” 

“ Why, Monsieur Doyle has that. Oh, I never 
thought; he carried it to the car and put it inside, 
just before he tried to force me to enter.” 

“ Monsieur Doyle? ” repeated Dick, question- 
ingly—amazed again. Surely this girl must be out 
of her head. The man dressed in soldier’s clothing, 
though there was something familiar about him, 
could never be mistaken for Reddy. 

“ You mean to say that Monsieur Doyle was 


328 


AT THE GARE DU NORD 


with you? That he has your luggage? That it was 
he who was trying to force you into that cab a mo¬ 
ment ago? ” 

4 4 Ah, Monsieur, please let us not talk of that 
now. I beg of you take me away from here at once. 
The crowd frightens me. We may be arrested. 
Please, Monsieur. See, here comes a gendarme 
now, Monsieur Captaine.” 

Glancing over his shoulder Dick saw a member 
of the Parisian police pushing his way through the 
crowd of men and women eagerly craning their 
necks to see what was happening. He hesitated no 
longer; with a word to the driver he jumped into 
the car and a moment later the machine was gliding 
on its way, amidst a scattering cheer from certain 
members of the good-natured and uncomprehend¬ 
ing audience. 

Surprised and attracted by the noise Dick turned 
his head to look back and as he did so, he saw, stand¬ 
ing on the outskirts of the assemblage, the familiar 
face and uniformed figure of Reddy Doyle. In his 
right hand he held a travelling-bag and tucked un¬ 
der his left arm was an officer’s clothing roll, while 
on Reddy’s face was a look of anger, amazement 
and disbelief. 

For a second only did Dick see him, as the cab 
was now gaining headway rapidly, dodging in and 
out of the traffic, but Dick knew that here at last 

329 


CAPTAIN C0MST0CK/U.8. M.C* 

was a chance to finally untangle this web of com¬ 
plication, and he did not intend to lose such an 
opportunity. If Reddy Doyle was mixed uj> in the 
affairs of Suzette, and everything certainly seemed 
to point that way, now was the time to get at the 
truth of the affair. Leaning forward he called 
through the window for the driver to return to the 
station at once, but by the time they had circled 
about and reached the spot which they had so re¬ 
cently left in such haste, the crowd had been dis¬ 
persed and his search of the station for Doyle was 
unrewarded. 

Suzette had not heard Dick’s directions to the 
cabman and her eyes were still covered when he 
jumped from the cab on his futile errand. By the 
time he returned, however, Suzette was looking 
about her in consternation. 

“ I thought we had left this place. Why did you 
return? ” she questioned. 

“ As we were leaving I saw Captain Doyle 
standing near the crowd with your luggage,” said 
Dick, “ so I returned at once hoping to get it for 
you and also an explanation from him, but he has 
gone.” 

A strange look came over the girl’s face. “ Cap¬ 
tain Doyle? ” she questioned, and then before Dick 
could answer, she said in pleading tones, “ Oh, 
please do not stop longer. I have money. I can 
330 


AT THE GARE DU NORD 


supply my needs. I never wish to see that man 
again. Please take me away.” 

“ But where shall I take you, Mademoiselle? 
Have you friends here? ” 

“ No, I have no friends nor relatives in Paris. 
I do not know what to do,” and thereupon followed 
another spasm of weeping, broken by hysterical 
sentences as the young woman grew more and more 
excited. “ Why did I ever leave home? Why did 
I believe that man? My father will never permit 
me to return. What shall I do? What shall I 
do?” 

“ Calm yourself, Mademoiselle Suzette,” said 
Dick, feeling very sorry for the distracted girl. “ I 
will take you to my sister and her friends. She is 
in Paris and she will be able to straighten out your 
troubles, I feel certain. We will go there at once.” 

Twenty minutes later the cab drew up before 
the door of the hotel, and telling Suzette to wait, 
Dick entered the hostelry and approached the clerk. 

“ I am Captain Richard Comstock, United 
States Marine,” he said, “ and I wish to see my 
sister, Miss Comstock, at once. I hope she is in.” 

“ Ah, oui, M’sieu’, but your seester, the Mees 
Cumstook, she has depart already.” 

“ What, she has left Paris?” inquired Dick, 
speaking now in French. 

“ Yes, she and her friends took the train not more 
33i 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

than a half hour ago for Brest. She, Monsieur* 
Madame and Mademoiselle Faure, and Captain 
Doyle—they have all gone. I am sorry.” 

“ You’re not one-half as sorry as I am,” re¬ 
sponded Dick, gloomily enough. “ What in thun¬ 
der am I going to do now? ” he mused aloud. 
“ With a good-looking young woman on my hands, 
and no place to leave her. She will begin to believe 
in me almost as much as she believes in Doyle if 
this sort of stuff keeps up. Well, anyway, I might 
as well go out and tell her and face the music. 
Darn these women anyway! ” 

Approaching the cab where Suzette was waiting 
patiently for his return, he said to her: 

“ I am very sorry, Mademoiselle, but my sister 
and her friends have left for Brest. They have 
been gone from the hotel hardly an hour. It was 
my intention to stop over in Paris providing they 
were here, but now I, too, must leave immediately, 
or at least as soon as the next train departs, for I 
am hoping to return to America on the same trans¬ 
port with them, and if I delay I fear I may be too 
late.” 

“ They have gone? ” and Suzette for a moment 
was nonplussed, then with a smile breaking out 
through the dark frown on her face, she said with 
decision: “ Then, Monsieur Captaine, I will accom¬ 
pany you.” 


332 


AT THE GARE DU NORD 

“ But, you know—er—that is impossible/’ ex¬ 
claimed Dick. 

What could the girl be thinking of; travelling 
over the country with any man she happened to fall 
in with? What kind of a game was she play¬ 
ing? It would never do for him to take her along 
on the journey. If this kept up, the next thing he 
knew she would be saying she would accompany 
him to New York. Dick’s face depicted the 
thoughts which flitted through his mind, and the 
girl in the cab read them without effort. 

“ Do not worry. Monsieur, it is the solution to 
my problem. I am happy that you mentioned 
Brest, or else I would not have thought of this 
facile way out of my difficulties.” 

“ That is all right so far as it goes,” said Dick, 
rather ungallantly it is true, but he could not well 
be blamed for his feelings in the matter, “ but there 
are reasons why you should not go to Brest with 
me, Mademoiselle. In the first place what will you 
do when you get there? ” 

“ Ah, that is the solution of which I spoke. My 
mother’s sister lives there. Her husband has been 
in business there for many years. She will receive 
me and be glad that I have come to her. She has 
wanted me to visit her for a long time. They have 
no children of their own. You cannot refuse to 
give me your aid and assistance under the circum- 
333 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

stances. I could not possibly remain alone in 
Paris.” 

So, feeling that he had no other way out of the 
dilemma, Dick finally, but with misgivings never¬ 
theless, consented to act as Suzette’s escort for the 
remainder of the journey. 

Once more the taxicab was put in motion and 
this time Suzette was a far different girl from the 
one who had so weepingly occupied the seat at his 
side on the journey from the Gare du Nord. Go¬ 
ing to the station they made their reservations for 
the evening train, the first train out, and although 
Dick offered to pay the fare, Suzette insisted on 
supplying the money for her own ticket. After 
this they went to a famous restaurant for something 
to eat, and then Dick had to accompany her to 
various marches and wait interminable hours, so it 
seemed to him, while Suzette made necessary pur¬ 
chases to last her through the coming train ride. 
So long in fact did she take that they barely caught 
their train when the time came for it to leave, and 
as they rushed past the guard at the gates, Dick 
could not help but recall the little station north of 
Paris where a similar scene had been enacted that 
same morning, but with another man playing the 
leading role, and as they were bustled into their 
compartment by the officious porter, whom should 
he find occupying one corner of the first-class car- 
334 


AT THE GARE DU NORD 


riage, but his former chum and classmate at the old 
Bankley High School, now a Lieutenant-Com¬ 
mander in the United States Navy, Gordon Gra¬ 
ham. 

Here indeed was a situation, and one which Dick 
failed to enjoy. But he rose to the occasion nobly, 
and with no appearance of embarrassment, he got 
through the introductions, and soon the three young 
people were conversing animatedly, but every now 
and then Dick caught Gordon looking at him in a 
quizzical manner. He knew there must be a day 
of reckoning and he could hardly expect Gordon 
to believe his story even though he told the truth. 

On through the dusk the train sped, and at the 
first station beyond Paris where a reasonable stop 
was to be made the two young men prepared to 
leave Suzette in full possession of the compartment 
while they sauntered up and down the platform. 
As Dick left he asked permission of Suzette to ex¬ 
plain to Monsieur Graham the conditions under 
which they were journeying to Brest, assuring her 
that he would mention no names. And it was with 
relief that he joined Graham a few moments after 
and related to him Suzette’s story, as he knew it, 
from the time he had first seen her in her home in 
Belgium to the present, but not once did he men¬ 
tion the name of Reddy Doyle. Had Gordon 
Graham not known that Dick Comstock was not 
335 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C, 

one to dally with the truth, he might Have disbe¬ 
lieved the rather fantastic story. 

“ You speak as if you knew the man who has 
caused her all this trouble, Dick, but at the same 
time it seems to me that you have a right to get 
from the girl the parts that are missing in this 
romance. If I were you I would not hesitate a 
minute to ask her to explain the whole thing from 
beginning to end. You say she never seems to want 
to do so, but I say that you have earned the right 
to hear it, and I would make her do it. How do 
you know but this aunt story of hers is all a hoax? 
You are too easy where a pretty face, or for that 
matter, where a female is concerned. They can 
pull the wool over your eyes with ease, my boy.” 

“ Well, you see, Gordon, I’ve not had the experi¬ 
ence with the weaker sex that you naval officers 

seem to get, and I’m afraid I don’t-” 

“ Thanks, Dick, save your blarney. Only I hap¬ 
pen to know you are being a bit sarcastic; but in 
any case I am going to suggest something to you 
which I believe under the circumstances is the best 
way out of your difficulties, and that is, ask Made¬ 
moiselle the address of her aunt and send the lady 
a wire requesting her to meet her niece on arrival. 
You can’t go tripping it around Brest with a young 
and attractive girl hanging to your coat-tails. You 
have got to get rid of her in case you want to sail 
336 



AT THE GARE DU NORD 


on the first boat leaving for New York. And in¬ 
cidentally that is why I am returning to Brest to¬ 
night. You see, I am Executive Officer of the 
transport General Grant, and we are expecting to 
leave to-morrow night or the following day. You 
come along with me and I’ll let you share the finest 
suite of rooms you ever saw on any ocean grey¬ 
hound in your life, but you will have to work fast.” 

Then it was that Dick explained how he expected 
to meet Ursula and the Faures and how he was 
hoping they all might cross together. At the men¬ 
tion of Ursula’s name Gordon’s face was alight 
with pleasure. 

“ Well, let me tell you this, Dick,” said he, and 
behind the banter there was more feeling than he 
cared to show, “if by any chance a delay of a day 
or so will get you all together on our ship, and if 
there is no other way out of it, I’ll be darned if I 
don’t drop a monkey wrench in the machinery my¬ 
self to gain time, and that’s no idle brag, either.” 

On returning to the train they found Suzette 
wrapped in rugs and sound asleep in her corner, so 
Dick delayed putting his resolution into effect until 
she should awake. 


337 


CHAPTER XXV 


CLEARED SKIES 

“ Captain Doyle of the American Army is be¬ 
low and wishes to see Monsieur alone, if he may,” 
announced a servant, when, in answer to a discreet 
knocking, Mr. Faure opened the door. 

“ Show the Captain up at once,” came the re¬ 
ply, and a little later Reddy was ushered into the 
cheery sitting-room of the suite which Mr. Faure 
had engaged at the hotel on his arrival in Brest. 

“ Come right in, my boy,” he said, shaking hands 
with his caller. “ Mrs. Faure and the girls have 
gone out to see Camp Pontanezen; that is, it was 
their intention to do so an hour or more ago when 
I went out to call on some old friends living here. 
It is said that young marine Brigadier-General in 
charge has made a model camp out of an impossible 
mud hole, and it has been so much talked about that 
Ursula, who as you know is a Marine through and 
through, must needs see that before anything else. 
But come, tell me what success you have had. I 
imagine you must have heard something or you 
would not have abandoned your quest so early. Sit 
down, and make yourself at home, while I ring for 
338 


CLEARED SKIES 


some refreshment. You look tired out and in need 
of a good long rest. I hope you have not over¬ 
taxed your strength, my young friend.” 

The older man had purposely rambled on, for in 
spite of his words he knew Reddy was the bearer 
of bad tidings and he wanted to do his best to make 
the younger man feel at ease, and that he had in his 
host a sympathizer, and well wisher. 

Reddy dropped into the proffered chair discon¬ 
solately enough. His eyes, dark-ringed beneath, 
gazed unseeingly at the gay carpet designs, now 
brilliant in the rays of the afternoon sunshine. 

“ I am glad that Mrs. Faure and the girls are 
not in, sir,” he began, “ for I wish to tell my story 
to you alone,” and his voice was lifeless and very 
low. 

“ I am afraid,” he continued, “ that what I have 
to relate is going to hurt you also, Mr. Faure, but 
you can best tell whether or not my story should 
be told to the others. Personally, I could not stand 
seeing them just now, so, after I finish, I will go 
out to the camp myself, and there make my ar¬ 
rangements for my transportation to the States. 
You will soon understand why it is I cannot accept 
your kind offices in securing my passage in the 
same vessel with you and the others.” 

Again Reddy paused, his dull stare at the carpet 
never changing. Mr. Faure drew up a chair near 
339 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

him and sat down to wait for the young fellow to 
proceed, feeling it would be better to let him talk 
on in his own way. He could see that some great 
bitterness had come into Reddy’s life, and of course 
it must have something to do with the disappear¬ 
ance of the girl, Suzette. 

“After you received word yesterday morning that 
your transport was due to sail early this evening, 
and you had to leave Paris in order to make your 
final arrangement down here, I decided that there 
was no use in my remaining longer in the city. I 
had done all there that was possible. I had in¬ 
formed the authorities, French, English, Belgian 
and American. I even went so far as to engage a 
private detective concern, which had been recom¬ 
mended to me, to take up the hunt. I believed that 
it would be best for me to return to Belgium, to 
Suzette’s home, and from there as a starting point, 
endeavor to trace her movements after she left 
her father’s house the night previous to our arrival. 
The thought came to me that by interviewing the 
taxicab stands, and the garages in the town, I might 
possibly run across a clue, for it seemed certain that 
anyone taking her away against her will would not 
attempt travel by rail.” 

“ Excellent reasoning, Reddy—we should have 
thought of that before; but go on, pardon my in¬ 
terruption.” 


340 


CLEARED SKIES 


“ After seeing you off for Brest I called up all 
the various headquarters and agencies to ascertain 
if anything had as yet been discovered, and being 
assured that no reports had been made up to that 
time, I proceeded to the Gare du Nord prepared 
to leave by the first train for the north. As I was 
about to enter the station I noticed a small crowd 
had collected around a taxicab standing near the 
curb in front of the station. A gendarme was el¬ 
bowing his way to the center of this crowd and in¬ 
stinctively I stopped to see what the excitement 
might be. Possibly it might have some connection 
with Suzette. Perhaps she and the man who lured 
her away might have just arrived in Paris and al¬ 
ready the police were acting,—making an arrest. 
You see, I was so incapable of coping with the mys¬ 
tery which confronted me, and feeling that chance 
alone must guide my search, I decided that I, too, 
would join that crowd and see what was going on. 
As I reached the far edge of the people, I 


He stopped, swallowed with difficulty, and was 
for a second unable to speak. 

“ You saw-” began Mr. Faure in his eager¬ 

ness for Reddy to proceed. 

“ I saw—Captain Richard Comstock, and-” 

“ Then he has arrived in Paris, has he? Good— 
I am glad to hear it. I feared that we might not 
34i 





CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S . M. <7. 

! get him in time. Did he say he was coming right 
down? Did he not come along with you? ” 

“ No, Mr. Faure, Captain Comstock did not 
come on to Brest with me. I did not speak with 
him, sir. I tried to—but he got into the taxicab 
and drove off before I came out of my surprise and 
stupor at seeing him. You see, sir, he was not 
alone. He had a woman in the cab with him. It 
was—Mademoiselle Suzette Flammeau.” 

“ Suzette Flammeau—Dick Comstock! ” ex¬ 
claimed Mr. Faure, starting to his feet and visibly 
overcome with this unexpected piece of news. 

“ Mademoiselle Flammeau and Captain Corn- 
stock,'” reiterated Reddy dully, “ and as they drove 
off he saw me standing there on the edge of the 
crowd looking directly at him. For the moment I 
was too astonished and hurt to know what I was 
doing. I saw him lean forward and speak to the 
chauffeur, and then I ran into the street. I fairly 
leaped into an empty taxi which was passing at the 
time and endeavored to follow, but in my blind 
surge of anger I had lost track of their car and 
though we proceeded along the avenue in the same 
direction for some distance I never came across 
them. After an hour’s search I gave up the chase, 
which was no chase, and—well, what was the use 
anyway? Dick Comstock has always won where 
there has been any question of rivalry,—any con- 
342 


CLEARED SKIES 

test between us. I had lost, sir, and must take my 
medicine like a man;—but it is very bitter,” and 
poor Reddy dropped his head into his hands, while 
his shoulders shook with the strength of his emo¬ 
tion. 

“ But Reddy, you may have been mistaken. 
Your imagination may have made you think you 
saw them, and even if you did you cannot tell what 
circumstances brought them together. I am sure 
that-” 

“ No, Mr. Faure, I could never mistake either of 
them. And Dick saw me. He could have stopped. 
Besides, don’t you remember that remark made by 
Tommy Turner the day we were leaving for 
Coblenz to the effect that Dick had saved Made¬ 
moiselle Flammeau’s life and that she thought him 
a wonderful hero. She never mentioned this to 
me. Why she did not, is more than I can under¬ 
stand under the circumstances.” 

Mr. Faure was about to reply when the opening 
of the door leading to the room occupied by Ursula 
and Marie attracted his attention. Looking up he 
saw standing in the doorway his daughter, her face 
white and strained, her usually lithe and supple 
body stiff and unbending. 

Slowly the girl advanced into the room. 

“ I happened to overhear most of what has been 
said,” she began slowly. “ You must not think me 
343 



CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , V . S. M. C. 

an intentional eavesdropper, but I had a slight 
headache, and did not feel like going to the camp 
with Mother and Ursula, so lay down for a little 
sleep. It was not until Reddy had gotten well on 
in his story that I fully realized someone was talk¬ 
ing in this room and then it was too late to close 
my ears. But Father—Reddy, there must be a 
mistake—some plausible explanation—there must 
be,” and now her eyes looked appealingly into those 
of her father’s, as though he would assure her in her 
belief. 

At the sound of Marie’s voice Doyle sprang to 
his feet. He saw the look on the girl’s face and 
knew he had unwittingly given her a pain as hard 
as his own to bear. He started to make some 
apologjr—some amend for his remarks, but before 
he could speak the door to the hall was flung open 
and Mrs. Faure, followed by Ursula, came rushing 
to the room, their faces wreathed in smiles. 

The sight of the tableau before them caused both 
to stop. Their questioning glances went from one 
to the other of the actors in the little scene and 
finally resting on Reddy, both exclaimed, and to¬ 
gether: “Why, it’s Reddy Doyle!” and Ursula 
added, “ How in the world did you get here? Dick 
said he saw you headed for the Gare du Nord only 
yesterday afternoon, and that when he went back 
two minutes later to look for you, he discovered an 
544 


CLEARED SKIES 


express train had just pulled out for Belgium. He 
thought you must have gone on that, and, oh, 
Reddy, I have seen Suzette and she is the sweetest, 
prettiest little thing imaginable. You are the luck¬ 
iest man I know.” 

“ Seen Suzette! ” “ Seen Dick! ” 

It was now the turn of Mr. Faure and Reddy 
Doyle to exclaim and stand with their mouths wide 
open, but Marie went to her mother and quickly 
drew her through the door into her room where no 
one might see and read the wonderful look of glad¬ 
ness, nor the telltale blushes which covered her 
pretty face, and there she proceeded to weep for 
joy at what she had just heard told. 

“ Why, yes, of course, it’s Dick I have seen. He 
is down-stairs now, and will be up in a moment or 
two. We found him out at Camp Pontanezen 
where he had gone to report. And, Reddy, he 
found your Suzette for you, and rescued her again, 
and then he and Gordon Graham brought her down 
to her aunt who lives here in Brest. Poor child, she 
will be wild with happiness when she knows you are 
here. Why, Reddy, what’s the matter? ” she in¬ 
quired anxiously, for Doyle had dropped heavily 
into the chair behind him and again covered his 
face with his hands. 

At a nod from Mr. Faure, Ursula turned and 
joined Marie and her mother in the adjoining room, 
345 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S . M. C. 

and by the time Dick tramped up the hall and 
knocked at the partially opened door, a pair of 
brawny arms were thrown about him, and Reddy 
Doyle was shouting in his ear in deafening tones: 

“ Dick Comstock, if you were a girl I’d kiss you, 
and so long as we are in France, where it’s the 
fashion between men, I’m going to do it anyway,” 
and with the words there was the sound of two 
loud smacks, as Reddy gave his old rival the French 
military salute in a most vigorous manner. 

“ Hey, there! Who in thunder gave you the right 
to pin medals on me? ” said Dick, freeing himself 
and laughing heartily. 

“ Never mind that,” replied Reddy. “ You come 
along and show me where she is, and on the double, 
too,” and he started to drag Dick toward the door. 

“ Go with him, Dick, and put the poor fellow out 
of his misery,” said Mr. Faure. “ But don’t stay 
away any longer than is necessary for the purpose 
in hand, because we all want to hear what you have 
to say for yourself, and also how you happen to 
be here when by all rights you should be keeping 
the peace in the German villages along the Rhine,” 
but even before he had completed his remarks, 
Reddy Doyle had forcibly hauled Dick from the 
room. 

As the two happy Americans hurried along the 
streets of the city their tongues wagged as never 
34 ^ 


CLEARED SKIES 


before, for there were explanations to make, and 
more explanations: questions asked and questions 
to be answered and more questions. Then when 
they arrived within a few blocks from the home of 
Madame de Langrange, Suzette’s aunt, Dick 
reached in his breast pocket and hauled forth a few 
worn letters and presented them to his companion. 

“ Here, Reddy, are some letters which have been 
in my keeping for a long while. Yes, IVe read 
them, and they have caused me much unhappiness, 
too, but you have explained them satisfactorily, 
and so I give them back to you. I can do so now 
that everything is straightened out in my mind 
about Suzette and you. You will remember you 
dropped them that night I chased you over the 
wall.” 

“ Wall! What wall? ” questioned Reddy. 

“ Why, the wall in back of Monsieur Flam- 
meau’s house, of course. The night we entered the 
town and there were such big doings,” said Dick, 
a bit disappointed that Doyle would not acknowl¬ 
edge his act, now that everything had been ex¬ 
plained away. 

“ Why, Dick, I wasn’t in the town that night. 
These letters were stolen from me at the time my 
field-glasses were taken. You remember I told 
you about that when we were searching Friedrich 
Hoffman’s effects.” 


347 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

“By George, Reddy, if I’m not the dumbest 
dumb-bell that ever walked on two legs. Shoot me 
for a fish! That just puts a finish to the whole 
thing. Why, of course—now I see it all. Suzette 
told me at the time. His name was Doyle, and 
how I could have gone all these months and never 
thought of that before is certainly due a leather 
medal. And, by jingo. I’ll bet it was that same 
scoundrel who succeeded in making her believe he 
was your messenger, and enticed her away from 
her home, but how in the dickens he discovered you 
intended to elope with her and marry her in Paris, 
is deeper than my poor addled brain can fathom.” 

“ Elope with her? Marry her in Paris? ” par¬ 
roted Reddy. “ Why, Dick, didn’t she tell you that 
we were married four months ago? You see her 
mother helped us, but for certain good reasons we 
were to keep it secret for a while longer.” 

“ Drive on, you old Benedict,” said Dick, slap¬ 
ping Reddy soundly on the back. “ You lucky old 
redhead, go on up those steps right there and greet 
your Mrs. Doyle,” and, with a parting shake of 
hands, Dick turned and wended his way back from 
whence he came. 


348 


CHAPTER XXVI 


HOME AGAIN 

The transport, of which Lieutenant-Commander 
Gordon Graham, U. S. X., was the executive of¬ 
ficer, with the contrariness which frequently Fate 
or Chance or whatever the thing is which governs \ 
the destinies of mankind evinces, did not sail on 
schedule time. To the Faures and to Ursula and 
her brother the delay was unwelcome, but to little 
Mrs. Reddy Doyle it came as an especial favor of 
the Gods, for it had given her time to answer the 
delayed wire which her father had sent to the Em¬ 
bassy in Paris, and her parents were due to arrive 
in Brest an hour before the new sailing hour. 

Dick had told Ursula of the remark Gordon had 
made while on the train coming down from Paris, 
and as a result that young man was receiving no 
end of chaffing from the members of the jolly party 
assembled on the promenade deck of the enormous 
vessel while waiting for the last formalities before 
the great hawsers were cast off and the mighty en¬ 
gines were set in motion, turning the curved blades 
of the bronze propellers underneath the graceful 
stern, which turning would not cease until the 
349 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S „ ilf. (7. 

shores of America were sighted; until the guardian 
lights of Sandy Hook had been rounded, the Nar¬ 
rows passed, and Liberty, holding aloft her flaming 
torch, towered above the highest spar; till the won¬ 
derful man-made monuments of lower Manhattan 
beckoned with their serrated horizon line; till 
finally the puffing tugs pushed and pulled, strained 
and shoved the hero-laden leviathan into her berth¬ 
ing space, where waited the aching and the sad, the 
joyous and the glad, the friends and relatives of 
the defenders of our country. 

Some of those heroes were sadly wounded be¬ 
yond all hopes of recovery: some were bent but not 
broken, some fortunate enough to have passed 
through the terrible ordeal unscratched and un¬ 
scathed, but all, no matter what their condition 
were, unbeaten conquerors, each in his or her own 
right. Yes, there were heroic women aboard that 
grand vessel. Women who had done their “ bit ” as 
faithfully, loyally and self-sacrificedly as any of 
those men on board, and not the least of these were 
Mrs. Faure, Marie, Ursula and the bright-eyed, 
black-haired little bride. 

About this group of women hovered a goodly 
gathering of young men, and a sprinkling of an 
older generation. Leaning far over the rail, Mrs. 
John Percy Doyle, Jr., was chattering volubly in 
French to a stout, little man, fussing nervously at 
350 


HOME AGAIN 

the edge of the pier, while a happy-faced, handsome 
woman held him by the coat-tail to keep him from 
taking a near-sighted step into the watery basin in 
his excitement. Somewhere a band was playing, 
and men were cheering here and there. Messages 
were being shouted back and forth in a dozen 
tongues. Late arrivals came hurrying down the 
quay at the last moment. A dainty French girl 
was seen hurrying along the concrete roadway to 
throw a bouquet of flowers at a doughboy whose 
head was sticking out of an air port several tiers 
below the promenade deck. With the agility of 
an African Dodger he pulled his head inside, for the 
shot was a good one and when the flowers followed 
through the porthole a cheer greeted the graceful 
marksman. Soon the head reappeared to be met by 
a storm of playful abuse at the temerity of the 
owner in departing and leaving a broken heart be¬ 
hind him. 

Last minute messages were being rushed up the 
gangway, and finally the heavy lines were one by 
one released, then, as the gangway was about to be 
lifted by the steam and electric crane, a soldier 
made his way vigorously through the crqwd and 
ran up apparently to deliver a telegram which he 
held in his hand. Suzette, still bending far over 
the rail to hear the last words of her parents, saw 
the man as he stumbled over one of the cleats mid- 
35i 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, ZJ. S. M. C. 

way of the gangplank. She gave him one intense 
look, then turning very pale, she pointed him out 
to Reddy and Dick who were standing near by. 

“ There he is. There is the man who took me 
away. The man with the beard coming up the 
gangplank.” 

The two young officers took but one glance and 
a moment later they were pushing their way along 
the decks to reach the nearest ladder leading below. 

At the top of the gangway, a ship’s officer halted 
the late arrival. 

“ Here; where are you going? ” 

“ Message for one of the officers who sent me 
ashore a half hour ago on duty, sir,” came the re¬ 
ply, and the man attempted to move on. 

“ Not so fast there, Bo,” said a sergeant, wear- 
ing his pistol lightly slung to his right hip. “ De¬ 
liver your message to me and I’ll see that it is de¬ 
livered to the right man, and if you’ve been sent 
ashore on duty where is your pass? Come, let’s see 
it. There’s too many of you fellers tried that same 
old gag to get by here without something better 
than this story. Next time try a new one.” 

And right at that moment Reddy Doyle burst 
upon the scene, his face aflame with anger, while 
behind him the wmuld-be stow^aw^ay discerned the 
grim features of Captain Dick. Without a sec¬ 
ond’s hesitation the soldier executed a volte face 
352 



The Two Sought the Upper Deck 











? " ■ f ■■ • f; 

. * I 
















































V 


















<* 



























T- 








• ■ 


V 






\ 


v 


























s 













































1 























































- 




























































lJ| 
























































' - ' V J 






' 








« . : , 
, ' v % ■ ‘ 






HOME AGAIN 

and started to rush madly down the steep gang¬ 
way. 

Again he stumbled. He put out his hand to save 
himself. There was a sudden cry of warning, and 
then a deep hush, for he had missed the rope rail 
which guarded the sides of the plank and his body 
seemed to shoot out into space, and go crashing 
down between the steel sides of the ship and the 
concrete lip of the pier, finally to strike the water, 
many feet below, with a great splash. 

When the body was recovered, in the pockets of 
the man were found the identification tags of 
Private Haskell, and had it not been for the infor¬ 
mation given by Dick and Doyle, the German spy 
might have been placed at rest in an honored grave. 
At last Friedrich Hoffman had paid the final 
penalty and even though he was an enemy his tragic 
death caused a sudden dampening of the gaiety 
which before this had been everywhere prevalent. 
Soon the identity of the man was noised through¬ 
out the crowd, and as soon as possible the lifeless 
body was removed. 

Now came the warning, thunderous blasts of the 
whistles. Deep down in the bowels of the great 
ship sounded the jangling of the engine-room bells, 
and slowly, majestically the vessel began to move. 

Once again the band struck up a lively tune. 
The crowds cheered. Hats and handkerchiefs were 
353 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

waving to and fro. Then a great volume of noise 
arose from the decks where the enlisted men had 
assembled. 

“ Come on, fellers, let’s give ’em a real cheer this 
time. All ready? Come on, let’s go,” and stand¬ 
ing up where the majority of the men could see 
him, a jolly, red-faced sailor of Uncle Sam’s Navy 
gave the signal with his white cap crushed in his 
hand as a baton. 

“ Hip! Hip! ” he roared. Off came the over¬ 
seas caps; up rose the happy, strong, young voices, 
in a rousing “ H-o-o-ray! ” 

“ Hip! Hip! ” he repeated in quick cadence, and 
again followed an answering “ H-o-o-ray! ” 

“ Hip! Hip! ” a third time, and every man and 
woman in sight joined in the final response, 
“ H-o-o-ray! ” 

Slowly at first the vessel moved away, ever gain¬ 
ing more and more speed, till finally the watchers 
on the decks saw the shores of France gradually 
fade away in the distance. 

“ Did you know that Old Mike is on board? ” 
whispered Dick into Marie’s ear. “ Yes, they 
brought him down a little while before we left. 
Come on, let’s go to the sick bay and say ‘ hello ’ if 
the surgeons will permit it, and see if there is any¬ 
thing we can do to make the trip any more pleasant 
for him.” 


354 


HOME AGAIN 

Without a word the girl turned and catching step 
with the tall youngster, together they sought out 
the veteran. 

“ Yes, you may see him for a few moments,” an¬ 
nounced the surgeon on duty, “ but I would not 
stay too long; the old fellow is pretty well tuckered 
out from the long journey he has just made. You 
will find him near that third air port, second tier.” 

“ It’s mighty glad I am to see the two of yez,” 
said Dorian, as Dick and Marie bent over him and 
touched his frail hand. “ That old Saw-Bones says 
they’re goin’ to be retirin’ this old man when they 
get me back to the States, but they’ve got another 
guess a-comin’. He don’t know Old Mike Dorian, 
or he never would be for makin’ of such a wild sug¬ 
gestion. Who ever heard tell of retirin’ one of us 
old ‘ leather-necks ’ fer a bit of a scratch, bedad? ” 

“ Well, don’t worry about it, Mike. The sea 
trip will do you a world of good, and you’ll be back 
in harness in a few months’ time.” 

“ Oh, Old Mike’s not worry in’ at all, at all. The 
docther’s the feller what’s doing the worrying, and 
as ye say, Misther Dick, the sea trip is bound to 
put me on me feet, and after all it’s good to be 
sailin’ the seas ag’in under some of our own naval 
officers. Yes, it’s glad I am to be seein’ the uniform 
of our Navvy, for after all we M’rines and the Flat- 
feet are more like brothers, ye know, and while the 
355 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , U. S. M. C. 

army’s all right, they kinder come under the cate¬ 
gory of first cousins.” 

“ Right you are, Mike,” responded Dick, “ and 
now we will have to be leaving you.” 

“ But we will be down here often on the trip. 
Sergeant, if you would like to have us,” said 
Marie. 

“ Indeed ye know that no medicine they kin be for 
givin’ Old Mike will beat the tonic of yer voice and 
yer pretty face, Miss Marie,” said Mike gallantly. 

“ Stop your flattery, Mike,” said the girl. 

“ And it ain’t no flattery, Miss. I’m meanin’ 
every wurrd of it, as ye know, and if ye don’t mind, 
will ye be so kind as to fix me piller just a bit, and 
then I’ll be sleepin’ fer a while,” and the old fellow’s 
eyes closed. 

“ Good-night, old pal,” said Dick gently, as he 
patted the shoulder of the sick man while Marie 
deftly arranged the pillows as only a woman can, 
and then, just before turning away, she bent and 
kissed the seamed old face. “ Good-night, old pal,” 
she whispered; then the two sought the upper deck. 

Seven days, and through the sparkling waters of 
New York harbor the ship was ploughing her way. 
Behind, a great fleet of gulls soared and screeched ; 
ahead, a cloud of smoke hovered over the Mecca of 
the Great Republic. On every hand tugs and 
launches, steamships and steam vessels of every size 
35b 


HOME AGAIN 


and description blazed the transport’s way with 
mighty blasts of welcome. 

Slower and slower the propellers churned the 
water, as nearer and nearer the wharf, where the 
transport was to dock, came to view. Now the 
watchers clinging to the rails, to the rigging, to the 
ladders, to every available bit of deck space, could 
see the mass of humanity lining the battery, and 
over on the opposite shore the wharf was black with 
welcoming throngs. 

It seemed as though the tugs nosing the steel 
sides of the ship could never force that great float¬ 
ing structure into her allotted berth, but little by 
little these pigmies did their valiant work. Now 
faces became distinguishable. Finally some blesse 
from the deck called out in stentorian tones: 

“ Hello, Dad! ” and turning to a fellow pas¬ 
senger, he proudly added: 44 See the old fellow over 
there w T ith a crutch and carrying a little United 
States flag? Well, Bo, that’s my old man, God 
bless him, and he’s a vet too. I ain’t got nothin’ on 
him; he had a leg shot off in ’63, same’s I did in this 
old scrap. I say, Hello, hello, Dad! ” and then the 
old eyes on the pier caught sight of the wildly wav¬ 
ing crutch from the vessel’s deck and with the tears 
rolling down his cheeks he proudly waved his little 
silken banner and cheered his hero son. 

Now things seemed to move more quickly. 

357 


CAPTAIN COMSTOCK , V . S. M. C . 

Everyone was shouting and laughing and crying in 
a breath, and before long the gangways were 
rigged and down them streamed a steady line of 
passengers to be swallowed up in that whirling, 
seething cauldron of men and women and children. 
And among the very first of those ashore was Dick 
Comstock and his sister Ursula and as their feet 
once more felt the beloved soil of their “ own, their 
native land ” beneath them, loving arms were 
thrown about the two as John Comstock and his 
wife met them and showered upon their son and 
daughter the endearments which for so long a time 
had been awaiting them. 

Why say more, for “ he who runs may read,” 
and so we leave them where we first found them, 
with their parents, and close the adventures of Cap¬ 
tain Dick Comstock, U. S. M. C. 


The Stories in this Series are: 

THE MARINES HAVE LANDED 
THE MARINES HAVE ADVANCED 
LIEUTENANT COMSTOCK, U. S. MARINE 
CAPTAIN COMSTOCK, U. S. M. C. 


358 



1 























